Yusei Kikuchi ain’t sleepless in Seattle

SEATTLE – Yusei Kikuchi smiled wide for the cameras, pointing to the back of his No. 18 jersey – a celebrated number for Japanese pitchers. In the city where one of his childhood idols, Ichiro Suzuki, became a major league star, Kikuchi is eager to prove he belongs in America, too.

“Thank you for this new journey,” Kikuchi said.

The prized Japanese left-hander was introduced as the newest member of the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, a day after signing a four-year deal with options that could make it a seven-year stay in the Pacific Northwest. The 27-year-old Kikuchi spent more than 40 minutes answering questions about why he wanted to come to the majors and why he chose Seattle.

Kikuchi answered the vast majority of the questions from English-speaking reporters in English. His answers were brief, but it was a sign of how long he’s wanted to play in the majors. The dream started when he was 15, and Kikuchi knew if he was going to realize it, English would be an asset.

A fastball ticking into the mid-90s helps, too.

“I want to practice hard and adjust myself. I want to enjoy every single thing,” Kikuchi said. 

Kikuchi also has an array of offspeed pitchers, part of his resume as one of the top young pitchers in Japan. Kikuchi was posted by the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions on Dec. 4. Under the rules in the November 2017 posting agreement, he had until Wednesday afternoon Seattle time to sign with a major league team.

Seattle is planning to limit Kikuchi’s innings while keeping him on the regular rotation of starting every fifth or sixth day. To make that happen, general manager Jerry Dipoto said there may be times Kikuchi goes through his normal routine but only throws one or two innings.