Yusei Kikuchi – Los Angeles Angels Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Yusei Kikuchi stands out as one of baseball’s more fascinating pitchers, making the leap from a hyped Japanese prospect to a seasoned MLB veteran. The lefty just landed a big three-year, $63.675 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, which feels like a real turning point in his career.

That deal pushed Kikuchi’s career earnings and net worth to about $70 million, showing just how much the league values his experience.

Kikuchi’s journey through baseball has featured a few major contracts. He started with the Toronto Blue Jays, signing a three-year, $36 million deal in March 2022. His market value has jumped since then—his annual salary with the Angels nearly doubled what he made with Toronto.

The new contract isn’t just about the money; it comes with some unusual perks that made headlines and show how much the Angels want him around.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Yusei Kikuchi’s rise started in Iwate, Japan, where his natural ability and work ethic really set him apart from other kids.

Family Background

Kikuchi was born on June 17, 1991, in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. He grew up in a family that supported his love for baseball from the start.

His dad played a big part, practicing with him in their backyard and encouraging his early development.

The Kikuchi family put a strong emphasis on both school and sports, which shaped Yusei’s approach to his career. Life in rural Iwate gave him a work ethic that stuck with him.

He experienced a pretty typical Japanese childhood, but baseball quickly took center stage as his skills became obvious.

Emergence as a Baseball Prospect

Kikuchi’s path changed when he joined Hanamaki Higashi High School, a place known for producing top baseball talent in Iwate. Coaches and scouts noticed his athleticism right away.

At Hanamaki Higashi, he built a reputation as a hard-throwing lefty with a fastball that moved naturally. He could hit 94-96 mph, which is wild for a Japanese high schooler.

By his senior year, scouts from all over Japan—and even MLB teams in North America—had their eyes on him. His performances in the Koshien Tournament, Japan’s big high school baseball event, only raised his profile.

A few MLB teams wanted to sign him straight out of high school, something you don’t see often with Japanese players. Even with that attention, Kikuchi decided to begin his pro career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Professional Career Overview

Yusei Kikuchi has carved out a reputation as a talented lefty, with a career that stretches from Japan’s top league to Major League Baseball. His journey reflects both growth and the ability to adapt to new challenges.

Seibu Lions and NPB Success

Kikuchi kicked off his pro career with the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in 2011. Over eight seasons, he developed into one of the Pacific League’s best starters.

His big breakthrough came in 2017, when he went 16-6 with a 1.97 ERA. That season earned him Pacific League Best Nine honors and cemented his status as a top pitcher in Japan.

In 2018, his last NPB season, Kikuchi helped the Lions reach the Japan Series. He finished his NPB run with a 73-46 record, a 2.77 ERA, and 925 strikeouts in 1,035 innings.

Transition to Major League Baseball

After 2018, the Seibu Lions posted Kikuchi, letting him negotiate with MLB teams. MLB clubs had to pay a posting fee to the Lions based on his contract.

In January 2019, Kikuchi signed a four-year deal with the Seattle Mariners worth $56 million, including some unique options. That move marked a big step, as he joined the growing list of Japanese pitchers testing themselves in MLB.

Adjusting to MLB wasn’t easy. He had to get used to a different baseball, a five-day rotation (instead of six in Japan), and a new culture. Still, Kikuchi tackled those challenges head-on.

Seattle Mariners Tenure

During his time with the Mariners from 2019 to 2021, Kikuchi had some ups and downs as he figured out how to pitch to MLB hitters. In his rookie year, he finished 6-11 with a 5.46 ERA over 32 starts.

The 2020 season, shortened by COVID, didn’t help—he struggled to find his rhythm. But in 2021, things started to click, and he earned his first MLB All-Star nod after a strong first half.

While in Seattle, Kikuchi worked on his pitch mix, especially adding a cutter to go with his fastball and slider. He had flashes of brilliance, but consistency was tough, so he declined his player option after 2021.

Recent Seasons and Current Team

After leaving Seattle, Kikuchi joined the Toronto Blue Jays on a three-year, $36 million contract. He kept developing, though inconsistency still popped up here and there.

Recently, Kikuchi agreed to a three-year, $63.675 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels—a huge investment in his abilities. That gives him an average annual salary of $21.225 million.

With the Angels, Kikuchi joins a rotation looking for steady arms and leadership. His lefty delivery and international background add some much-needed variety to the staff. How he performs with the Angels could really define his MLB legacy.

Pitching Style and Performance

Yusei Kikuchi has crafted a unique pitching style since coming to MLB. He’s blended his Japanese league experience with new techniques to handle major league hitters. His pitch mix and advanced stats show both his strengths and the areas where he can still improve.

Pitch Repertoire

Kikuchi leans on a four-pitch mix that’s changed a lot since his MLB debut. His fastball usually sits at 94-96 mph and has some nice life. His cutter, now a key weapon against righties, comes in at 88-91 mph and looks like a fastball until it darts away late.

He throws a slider in the low-to-mid 80s, which moves a lot and is his main strikeout pitch. Kikuchi also mixes in a curveball with big drop and will occasionally throw a changeup.

When he’s commanding all his pitches, Kikuchi can really keep hitters guessing by changing speeds and eye levels.

Analytics and Key Stats

Kikuchi’s numbers have been all over the place. His career ERA is 4.43, but that doesn’t always tell the full story. His SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) usually comes in lower, hinting that he’s had some tough luck.

He’s boosted his strikeout rate since coming to MLB, peaking at 10.2 K/9 during his best stretches. Walks have been a problem sometimes, averaging around 3.2 BB/9.

His ground-ball rate sits at about 43%, which helps him keep home runs in check, even if he sometimes gives up hard contact. He tends to do better against lefties, while right-handed hitters have had more success against him.

Athleticism and Development

Kikuchi brings above-average athleticism for a pitcher, which helps him repeat his delivery and stay healthy. His strong lower body generates a lot of power, letting him keep his velocity late into games.

He’s worked hard to improve, relying on analytics and video to fix timing issues and sharpen his command. After some early struggles, he and his coaches made adjustments that paid off.

Kikuchi’s training now includes advanced biomechanics and recovery work, which has helped him keep his velocity as he gets older. His willingness to adapt played a big role in landing his contract with the Los Angeles Angels, who see potential for even more growth.

Contract Details and Salary Analysis

Yusei Kikuchi’s MLB career has seen teams make big financial bets on him, reflecting the demand for reliable left-handed starters. His earnings have taken a big jump since coming over from Japan.

Major League Contracts

Kikuchi’s MLB contracts started with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. That first deal was structured with both team and player options, and the Mariners paid a hefty posting fee to get him.

He took another step forward with the Toronto Blue Jays, where his performance improved. Most recently, he scored his biggest deal yet by signing a three-year, $63 million contract with the Angels at the end of 2024.

That contract pays him $21 million a year, showing the Angels believe he can anchor their rotation.

Salary Evolution

Kikuchi’s salary has jumped a lot during his MLB years. His current salary of $21,225,000 with the Angels is a huge step up from his previous contracts.

With the Mariners, his pay was modest by MLB standards, though it was a big leap from what he made in Japan. In Toronto, he reportedly made $10,000,000 per year, which set him up for his current payday.

The Angels added some unusual extras to his deal. He gets $100,000 a year for his personal trainer and other benefits, totaling $675,000 in perks.

This steady salary growth matches both Kikuchi’s development and the rising value of good left-handed starters in the league.

Net Worth, Accolades, and Notable Comparisons

Yusei Kikuchi has built real wealth during his MLB run, earning respect for his pitching along the way. His stats and financial standing put him up there with other international pitchers who’ve made the jump and thrived in Major League Baseball.

Net Worth and Earnings Sources

Yusei Kikuchi’s net worth sits at around $70.2 million. He built most of that through his professional baseball contracts, starting out in Japan and then jumping to Major League Baseball.

Right now, he’s playing for the Los Angeles Angels under a $63.675 million contract over three years. That works out to an average annual salary of $21.225 million—definitely a big jump from his last three-year, $36 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

You can see how his pay has climbed over the years:

• Mariners contract (2019-2021)
• Blue Jays deal (2022-2024): $12 million per year
• Current Angels contract: $21.225 million per year

He probably picks up some extra cash from endorsements and investments, though those don’t make up a huge chunk of his total wealth.

All-Star Honors and Postseason Appearances

Kikuchi picked up his first MLB All-Star selection in 2021 when he pitched for the Seattle Mariners. That honor came after a strong first half—his command and strikeout numbers really stood out.

His postseason experience? It’s still pretty limited. He hasn’t made a deep playoff run in North America yet.

With the Blue Jays, Kikuchi got some postseason innings, mostly out of the bullpen.

Before he came to MLB, Kikuchi made a name for himself in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league with the Seibu Lions. He helped the team reach Japan Series championship games and built his reputation as an elite pitcher over there.

In 2024, he racked up 206 strikeouts, which puts him 10th all-time for a Japanese-born pitcher in a single MLB season. That’s pretty impressive—he’s definitely among the best Japanese strikeout pitchers in MLB history.

Player Comparisons and Free Agent Landscape

When Kikuchi hit MLB free agency, a lot of analysts started stacking him up against other Japanese pitchers who made the leap to the majors.

Sure, he hasn’t reached Shohei Ohtani’s superstar level, but Kikuchi’s managed to stay healthier than a lot of international signings.

Right now, in this pitching market, Kikuchi looks like a mid-tier starter with some real upside. He’s not in the same league as aces like Gerrit Cole or Max Scherzer, but you get more consistency with him than with riskier guys like Andrew Heaney.

If you’re looking for pitchers with similar career paths and contract values, you might point to José Quintana—he’s got that reliable, mid-rotation vibe. Jack Flaherty pops up too, since both can rack up strikeouts. There are also a few other international lefty starters in the mix.

The Angels put a lot of faith (and money) into Kikuchi. It really shows just how much teams value left-handed starters who can get swings and misses. Especially now, with clubs eyeing big names like Juan Soto or eventually Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, you can see why Kikuchi’s profile stands out.