LAA · P

Yusei Kikuchi

Age 35 B/T L/L 6′0″, 210 lb Japan MLB debut 2019

40-man

The Angels’ roster as it stands #3 starter · 99 IP · 1.1 WAR in the role
Injured list 2026: Left shoulder inflammation (May 3–Aug 23)
Trade read Likely available: LAA projects to miss the playoffs (11% odds) and he has 1 year of control left: a natural trade candidate.

Keystone Stuff 101 54th pct

2026 fWAR 1.1

Projected 2027 WAR 1.0 at 89 IP · 1.1 in his 2027 role

Pitching · 2026 percentiles

vs. MLB pitchers with 500+ pitches · 1,202 pitches

Keystone Stuff 101

Keystone Location 106

Keystone Pitching 101

Run value (xRV) −0.34

Strikeout % 22.0%

Walk % 9.8%

Whiff % 23.5%

Chase % 26.5%

Fastball velo 95.5

Extension 6.8 ft

67.2 IP4.92 ERA3.93 FIP 47° arm

Arsenal & Pitch Lab

Movement normalized to arm side · Keystone Stuff by pitch

LHP · arm angle 46° · how to read

Pitch	Use	Velo	IVB	HB	Stuff	Loc	Whiff	xRV/100
Four-seam41% use	41%	95.5	14.9	+6.5	101	99	19%	+0.21
Slider25% use	25%	87.4	1.9	−2.3	104	123	25%	−0.13
Splitter17% use	17%	86.6	8.4	+8.9	96	91	33%	−1.11
Curveball11% use	11%	79.9	−6.7	−7.8	102	102	21%	+0.60
Cutter5% use	5%	90.3	9.3	−1.8	96	95	31%	−4.82

Weak pitch to watch

Splitter grades 96 with below-average expected results; his slider grades 104. The best case is against righties: the slider is worth +0.7 runs per 100 pitches more, 0.8 standard errors (196 and 186 pitches), short of the 2 needed. No mix change until it clears.

Most similar pitchers

Pitches like Kikuchi: same hand, shape, slot and mix

Similarity	Player	Stuff	’26 WAR	’27 proj	2027
65	Gage Jump ATH · ’03	106	1.7	1.8	Pre-arb
62	Quinn Mathews STL · ’00	94	0.8	1.1	Pre-arb
57	Robbie Ray SD · ’91	96	0.9	0.7	Free agent
54	Reid Detmers LAA · ’99	104	4.9	2.6	Arb
52	Matthew Liberatore STL · ’99	96	1.1	1.4	Arb

Robbie Ray (similarity 57, 0.7 WAR projected for 2027) is a free agent this winter: a similar arsenal available without trading talent, at a free agent’s price. Opportunity Finder →

Same-handed pitchers nearest on fastball velocity and shape, arm angle, extension, pitch mix, secondary shapes, Stuff, whiff rate and workload. 2026 regulars only.

Pitch locations · 2026

Where each pitch finishes, by batter side

Four-seam 40%

52% zone

Slider 22%

52% zone

Splitter 21%

33% zone

Curveball 11%

40% zone

Cutter 6%

49% zone

Where each pitch finishes, catcher’s view. The bar marks the batter’s side; the box is an average strike zone. Pitches with 40+ thrown to this side.

Contract & projection

Club control (RosterResource) · Keystone projected WAR

2027 1.0 WAR Guaranteed $21.0M

2028 0.6 WAR Free agent

2029 0.3 WAR Free agent

2030 0.1 WAR Free agent

Contract Studio →

Minor leagues

MLB Stats API · public box-score data

SeasonLevel	Level	Team	Age	G	PA / IP	PA / IP ·Line
2026A	A	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes	35	2	7.2 IP	7.2 IP · 14.09 ERA · 32.5% K · 5.0% BB
2026AAA	AAA	Salt Lake Bees	35	2	5 IP	5 IP · 18.00 ERA · 36.7% K · 20.0% BB