© Stan Szeto | 2018 Aug 31
The Giants are one of a handful of teams interested in Japanese left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Nikuchi was “posted” on Monday by Kikuchi’s Nippon Professional Baseball club, the Saitama Seibu Lions, allowing all 30 major league teams to negotiate with him.
West Cosst bias? Market strong for lefty Yusei Kikuchi, with dodgers, padres, giants and mariners among those believed in. Sea and SF would be interesting, as one is tearing down the other thought to be considering retooling.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 30, 2018
Nikuchi is 27-years old and has played professionally since 2011 when he was 20. Kikuchi is coming off a season in which he went 14-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 23 starts, and has gone 42-17 with a 2.51 ERA in 71 starts, with 497 strikeouts in 494 1/3 innings over the last three seasons.
According to MLB.com, Nikuchi is primarily a two-pitch pitcher with a fastball and slider, but also mixes in a curveball and changeup. Nikuchi’s fastball averages 92-94 MPH, which is above the major league average of 91.4 MPH for starting pitchers. According to Jon Morosi, MLB scouts think Nikuchi has the ceiling of a No. 2 starter.
As of Monday, teams have 30 days to negotiate with Nikuchi and his agent Scott Boras.
