The Yusei Kikuchi Watch is about to begin

He may not generate the circus-like atmosphere that the Shohei Ohtani Chase did last year, but the Yusei Kikuchi Watch is about to begin.

Last year, the Shohei Ohtani Chase was unlike anything that had been seen in some time. Here was a player billed as the Japanese version of Babe Ruth, a dominant pitcher who also had prodigious power with the bat. He had thrown the hardest pitch in Nippon Professional Baseball history, and won a Home Run Derby. When healthy, he has not disappointed during his rookie campaign, as Ohtani has showed his ability on the mound and in the batter’s box.

Although Yusei Kikuchi is not the player that Ohtani is, he is still an intriguing prospect in Japan. The 27 year old lefty is not the hitter that the Angels phenom is, and he is not going to light up the radar gun by hitting triple digits. However, his fastball can hit the mid 90s, and was clocked once at 98.2 MPH, a Nippon Professional Baseball record for a lefty. Considering that Kikuchi has a solid four pitch arsenal, being able to throw that fastball in the mid 90s could be enough.

It certainly was in 2017. Last year, Kikuchi dominated the competition, posting a stellar 1.97 ERA and a 0.911 WHiP. In his 187.2 innings, he struck out 217 batters while issuing only 47 walks. That was the performance of an ace, and led to the hope that Kikuchi could be more than the second or third starter he is projected to be at the major league level.

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This year, however, has seen the hard throwing lefty regress a bit. He has spent some time on the disabled list, and seen his command fall back. Kikuchi has still been respectable with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.061 WHiP, striking out 109 batters with 34 walks in his 119.1 innings. It is a solid performance, but quite the same level as 2017.

Those injuries are an ongoing concern as he has pitched over 145 innings just once in his eight year career. His shoulder has been particularly troublesome, costing Kikuchi extensive time in 2010 and 2013. While he would still attract a great deal of attention if posted, that injury history is a red flag, especially as he missed time again this season.

If he can remain healthy, Kikuchi is certainly an intriguing player. He has excellent command of his pitches, and a great deal of pitchability. The lefty has displayed an ability to work anywhere in the zone, with any of his four offerings. The talent and the stuff are there – but will he be able to stay healthy?

He may not be Shohei Ohtani, but few players are. Once the offseason starts, the Yusei Kikuchi Watch will be fascinating if he is posted.