Yusei Kikuchi
Yusei Kikuchi (菊池 雄星, Kikuchi Yūsei, born June 17, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Kikuchi formerly played for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.
| Yusei Kikuchi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Kikuchi with the Saitama Seibu Lions | |||
| Toronto Blue Jays – No. 16 | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: 17 June 1991
(aged 34) Morioka, Iwate, Japan | |||
| |||
| Professional debut | |||
| NPB: June 12, 2011, for the Saitama Seibu Lions | |||
| MLB: March 21, 2019, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| NPB statistics (through 2018 season) | |||
| Win–loss record | 73–46 | ||
| Earned run average | 2.77 | ||
| Strikeouts | 903 | ||
| MLB statistics (through June 29, 2019) | |||
| Win–loss record | 30–35 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.70 | ||
| Strikeouts | 596 | ||
| Teams | |||
| |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
| |||
He is the first Japanese-born player to make his major league debut in Japan.
Professional career
Saitama Seibu Lions
On November 20, 2009, Kikuchi signed a pro deal with the Saitama Seibu Lions; the deal included a 100 million yen (about $1 million) signing bonus, a 15 million yen ($150,000) first year salary, and 50 million yen ($500,000) in performance bonuses.[1]
After the 2011 season, Seibu announced that Kikuchi would join the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League (ABL).[2]
In 2018, Kikuchi was selected for the 2018 NPB All-Star game.[3]
On December 3, 2018, Seibu announced it was allowing Kikuchi to enter the posting system to play in Major League Baseball (MLB),[4] with the 30-day period starting a month later.[5]
Seattle Mariners
On January 2, 2019, Kikuchi signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.[6][7] Kikuchi made his MLB debut on March 21, 2019, going 4.2 innings while allowing 2 runs (1 earned) and striking out 3.[8]
Toronto Blue Jays
On March 14, 2022, Kikuchi signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[9]
Yusei Kikuchi Media
Kikuchi pitching for the Mariners with Shohei Ohtani on base
References
- ↑ Newman, Patrick. Kikuchi Signs With Seibu, NPB Tracker. Published November 20, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
- ↑ 「2011–12 Australian Baseball League 」の参加メンバー (in ja). 埼玉西武ライオンズ オフィシャルサイト (November 1, 2011). Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ↑ マイナビオールスターゲーム2018 ファン投票結果 (in ja). NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (June 26, 2018). Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ↑ 菊池雄星投手のポスティングについて (in ja). 埼玉西武ライオンズ オフィシャルサイト (December 3, 2018). Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ↑ Axisa, Mike. Yusei Kikuchi posted for MLB teams: Everything you need to know about the Japanese lefty (December 3, 2018)CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- ↑ Mariners sign left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to four-year contract. MLB.com (January 2, 2019). Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ↑ 菊池雄星投手がMLB・シアトル・マリナーズと契約 (in ja). 埼玉西武ライオンズ オフィシャルサイト (January 3, 2019). Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ↑ Mariners Box Score 3/21/2019. mlb.com (March 21, 2019). Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ↑ Blue Jays reach 3-year deal with lefty KikuchiMajor League Baseball. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
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