Toronto Blue Jays Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (32) had an impressive spring. 

On the 29th (hereafter Korean time), Kikuchi made a relief mound as the 4th pitcher in the 6th inning of the exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out 6 in 2⅔ innings and making a powerful pitch with a perfect scoreless run. 

As soon as he got on the mound in the 6th inning, Kikuchi, who struck out 3 batters in a row, threw a 95.5 mile (153.7km) four-seam fastball (14), as well as a slider (11), curve (10) and changeup (2) evenly. . He struck out four with his deciding pitch slider, and also had two strikeouts with his high fastball. 

With this, Kiguchi recorded 2 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 0.87 in 7 games (6 starts) in this demonstration game. He gave up only 9 hits, 10 walks and 1 walk in 20⅔ innings, but the details were good with 31 strikeouts. He had a 0.92 WHIP and a .13 batting average.  온라인카지노

He was the best pitcher in the entire exhibition game. This was the only ERA among 35 pitchers who filled the required innings in this demonstration game. He became the most powerful pitcher this spring, taking first place in two categories with strikeouts. 

Kikuchi, who signed a free agent contract with Toronto for 3 years and 36 million dollars in March of last year, was labeled as “eating and running” with a lower-than-expected appearance. Last year, in 32 games (20 starts), 6 wins, 7 losses and 1 save, the average ERA was only 5.19. He struck out 124 in 100⅔ innings, but allowed 58 walks, which came to 5.2 per 9 innings. From mid-August, his position changed from starter to bullpen. However, even with relief, there was no noticeable rebound with an ERA of 4.91.

However, he predicted a revival by sending an impressive demonstration game this year, the second year of his transfer to Toronto, and confirmed the last 5 starting positions. On the 5th of next month, he will make his first appearance of the season against the Kansas City Royals. Toronto has a five-man rotation consisting of Opening Day starter Alec Manoa, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassett and Kikuchi. The first to fourth selections are certain, but the fifth selection is unknown, but Kikuchi took the opportunity first. 

Toronto aims to return in the summer after Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin, who is in the final year of a four-year free agency contract, underwent an elbow ligament joint surgery in June last year and is undergoing rehabilitation. Right-hander Mitch White, who was traded to Toronto last August and was appointed as a starting pitcher, was also unable to join the team due to right shoulder impingement syndrome in January and elbow inflammation. It is noteworthy whether Kikuchi will be able to solidify his position as the 5th starter until the two players return.