Left-hander Kikuchi Yusei (34·LA Angels), considered a candidate for Japan's starting pitcher in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) first-round Japan-Korea game in Pool C at Tokyo Dome on the 7th next month, fired a 156 km/h fastball from the first day of spring training. Whoever faces him is a tough opponent for Korea, but left-handed fireballer Kikuchi is an even more troublesome pitcher.
Kikuchi on the 12th (all times Korea time) took part in live batting practice, throwing to batters during the first day of pitcher-catcher drills at spring training in Tempe, Arizona. Having already arrived at camp the day before and thrown 20 pitches in the bullpen, Kikuchi threw 34 pitches in the bullpen that day and then took part in live batting practice.
According to Japanese media including Sports Nippon, Kikuchi faced 13 batters and reached a top speed of 97 mph (156.1 km). Taking breaks in between, he threw a total of 49 pitches and said, "This is probably the first time I've reached 97 mph before the season. I've prepared early and got my body in shape this year. Since the end of last season I've been talking with my trainer and have been adjusting to peak for the WBC opening on March 5."
Kikuchi, who debuted in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners in 2019, went through the Toronto Blue Jays and has been with the Angels since last year, is an eight-year veteran major league starter. He also spent eight years with Japan's Saitama Seibu Lions but had little connection with the national team. This WBC is his first experience as Samurai Japan, and he is more fired up than ever.
He said, "I've watched and cheered for the WBC on TV all this time. Now I'm going to pitch on that stage. I want to show kids how great baseball can be. Winning is natural and the only goal. Since being selected for the WBC I've heard 'Good luck in the WBC' more than 'Good luck this season.' I feel the interest in the WBC is higher than I imagined."
A year ago in the offseason, Japan manager Iwata Hirokazu asked Kikuchi to join the national team. Kikuchi said, "A year ago Manager Iwata came to Iwate and said, 'If you finish the season without injury, let's definitely fight together at the WBC.' From then on, if I stayed healthy I planned to play in the WBC," saying he decided to participate in the WBC at Iwata's request.
Since 2023 Kikuchi has stabilized his control and emerged as a recognized starter in the majors. After the 2024 season he signed a three-year, $63,675,000 free agent contract with the Angels, and last year he appeared in 33 games (178⅓ innings) with a 7-11 record, a 3.99 ERA and 174 strikeouts. The team was so weak that he lacked wins, but he posted a personal best bWAR of 3.3 and was selected to the All-Star game.
Durability, having consistently appeared in more than 32 games for three straight seasons, is also one of Kikuchi's strengths. Although the WBC makes this year more demanding than usual, Kikuchi said, "It is a player's responsibility to compete the whole season without injury. I will fight in the WBC with full strength, but my goal is to pitch healthily in 32–33 games like last year. I believe if I do that properly the results will surely follow."
Meanwhile, Kikuchi was tight-lipped about internal revelations that surfaced after last season. In his final start of the season, Kikuchi was replaced after 66 pitches despite a strong five-inning, one-run outing. He was removed due to finger cramps, and in interviews with Japanese reporters that day Kikuchi said, "There was no air conditioning in the weight room at Angel Stadium, so I warmed up soaking wet with sweat." It turned out the cramps were due to dehydration.
There were even allegations that the team ignored requests to repair a broken air conditioner. Angels general manager Perry Minasian strongly denied it, but the team's website posted a job opening for an air-conditioner repair technician that day, raising suspicion. After the offseason passed, there was an opportunity to hear directly from Kikuchi about the truth of the air conditioner.
According to MLB.com reporter Let Bellinger, on the first day of camp Kikuchi was asked about the air conditioner. But Kikuchi ended his answer by saying, "I have forgotten about last year. I'm focusing on staying healthy for the whole season," feeling there was no need to pour cold water on the fresh start.
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