TORONTO — Veteran lefty Yusei Kikuchi is heading to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard for the second time in his career.
Kikuchi, who joined the Angels on a three-year deal worth $63 million in November, found out Sunday that he’s the club’s lone selection for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game on July 15 at Atlanta’s Truist Park. General manager Perry Minasian held a team meeting before Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays to make the announcement in front of Kikuchi’s teammates and the coaching staff.
“All my teammates were really happy for me,” Kikuchi said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. “Perry came in and delivered a really heartfelt message. It really got to me. Like, I got a little emotional. But I just have this feeling that I want to do something special with this team this year.”
Veteran Tyler Anderson, who was the club’s lone All-Star last year and also Kikuchi’s teammate in Seattle in 2021, was excited to see his fellow lefty get honored.
“Oh, man, I’m so pumped for him,” Anderson said. “Playing with him in ‘21 and seeing where he was then and where he is now. He’s grown so much, and just his demeanor and his presence on the mound has really come a long way.”
Kikuchi, 34, has been excellent in his first season with his new club, posting a 2.81 ERA with 106 strikeouts and 46 walks in 102 1/3 innings. He was the club’s Opening Day starter and is a big reason why the Angels are a surprise contender this season. He has been a steady presence in the rotation, and he ranked 10th in the American League in ERA and 11th in strikeouts as of Sunday.
“Just looking back when I first signed here, I saw something in this team and this young group of guys,” Kikuchi said. “And I really believe, within the three years I’m here, that we could do something special. I just want to be a big part of this team. And being selected for the All-Star Game for this year means a lot to me.”
Kikuchi has especially turned it on since the beginning of May, as he struggled with his control early in the year and was uncharacteristically walking too many batters. But over his past 12 outings going back to May 1, he has a 2.15 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 28 walks in 71 innings.
Kikuchi credited coaches Barry Enright, Steve Karsay and Sal Fasano, as well as catchers Logan O’Hoppe and Travis d’Arnaud, for helping him turn it around.
“The first maybe 10 games or so, I didn’t feel like myself,” Kikuchi said. “Something was missing. And I made some mechanical adjustments and whatnot, talking to the pitching coaches and GM. They helped me out a lot. So the last few starts, you know, I’ve been feeling like myself again. But also, I have to say thanks to O’Hoppe and Travis for leading me. They’re always so prepared.”
O’Hoppe explained recently that Kikuchi has been better because he has been able to locate his four-seamer, changeup and curveball better to pair with his elite slider. Both the slider and curveball have been huge for him this season.
“I think before, he only had one pitch that he felt super confident in, which was the slider,” O’Hoppe said. “And now he’s got four pitches he’s confident in, which makes it a lot easier to call whatever and keep guys off-balance.”
Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery was excited to see Kikuchi be named the club’s representative, but he also felt outfielder Jo Adell had a strong case. But he has been impressed with the way Kikuchi has handled himself in a new environment.
“He’s been as good as advertised, maybe better,” Montgomery said. “Any time you bring a free agent in, there’s always that trepidation they’re going to put too much pressure on themselves. Obviously, we haven’t seen that with Yusei.”
Kikuchi was also an All-Star in 2021 with the Mariners, but he didn’t see action in that year’s Midsummer Classic. He’s also not sure if he’ll pitch in this year’s edition because he’s scheduled to pitch on Monday and again on Saturday ahead of the All-Star break.
Kikuchi said it’s something he’ll discuss more with the coaching staff. His priority lies with helping the Angels remain in the race and reach the postseason.
“Not sure exactly what to expect the second time around compared to the first,” Kikuchi said. “But just being able to represent this team after coming over to a new team. I was just told that I’m going to be an All-Star, so I really haven’t had that talk [about pitching in the game]. And so I’m not sure exactly yet, but again, the biggest focus is just helping this team and trying to go to the postseason with this team.”
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