Who Is Yusei Kikuchi? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Yusei Kikuchi was born on June 17, 1991, making him 33 years old as of 2025. Known for his impressive pitching skills, Kikuchi began his professional career in Japan before making his way to Major League Baseball (MLB). He started his career with the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he gained recognition for his exceptional athletic talent and hard work. His MLB debut came in 2019 with the Seattle Mariners, making him a notable player in the league. As his career progresses, Kikuchi continues to gain respect and admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike.
| Occupation | Baseball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1991 |
| Age | 34 Years |
| Birth Place | Morioka, Iwate, Japan |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Yusei Kikuchi's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Yusei Kikuchi stands tall at approximately 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) and weighs around 180 pounds (82 kg). His athletic build and strong physical presence contribute to his effectiveness as a pitcher. Over the years, Kikuchi has maintained his physique, emphasizing the importance of fitness in his training regimen.
Kikuchi is a 6 ft, 210 lbs left-handed pitcher throwing from a unique three-quarters arm angle. He features a four-seam fastball topping out at 99 mph. He mainly throws an above-average slider in addition to the fastball and also mixes in a curve and changeup.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Yusei Kikuchi is privately navigating his personal relationships. Although he tends to keep his dating life under wraps, it is known that he was previously linked to several women in the past. However, details regarding his current relationship status remain undisclosed. Kikuchi often focuses primarily on his career, placing a strong emphasis on his professional goals, which may contribute to his discretion regarding personal matters.
Net Worth and Salary
Yusei Kikuchi's net worth is estimated to be around $20 million as of 2025. His impressive earnings come from his contracts with Major League Baseball teams, endorsements, and investments. Kikuchi's salary in recent seasons has varied but is made up primarily of his MLB contracts and performance bonuses. His financial management skills suggest that he is also engaged in smart investments, enhancing his wealth further.
On November 20, 2009, Kikuchi signed a pro deal with the Saitama Seibu Lions (the Saitama Seibu Lions are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based north of Tokyo); the deal included a 100 million yen (about $1 million) signing bonus, a 15 million yen ($150,000) first-year salary, and 50 million yen ($500,000) in performance bonuses.
Career, Business, and Investments
Yusei Kikuchi’s career has been a journey marked by hard work and dedication. After his successful tenure in NPB, he transitioned to MLB, where he has continued to perform at high levels. In addition to his professional baseball career, Kikuchi has pursued various business ventures, including endorsements and brand partnerships, which contribute to his income.
Kikuchi is known for investing in various initiatives focused on sports development and community support. His commitment to giving back reflects his understanding of the importance of community and mentorship for aspiring athletes.
During his time in Houston, Kikuchi logged 10 starts, 2.70 ERA, and 5–1 W-L over 60 IP. He surrendered 42 hits, 8 home runs, 14 BB, and struck out 76 batters for a 0.933 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9), and 5.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB).
Cumulative season totals between Toronto and Houston included 9–10 W–L and 4.05 ERA over 32 starts. He registered career-highs of 175 1/3 IP and 206 strikeouts, which ranked fifth in the AL. He ranked 7th in earned runs (79), and 10th in both hits (167) and home runs (25) allowed.
He was also 3rd in the AL with 10.554 K/9, 6th with 4.682 K/BB, and 8th with 3.46 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). Following the season, he elected free agency.
Social Network
Yusei Kikuchi is active on several social media platforms, where he engages with fans and shares snippets of his life. His Instagram and Twitter accounts showcase not only his professional highlights but also personal moments and relationships with teammates. Kikuchi’s online presence allows him to connect with a broader audience, bridging his personal life and professional career.
On March 14, 2022, Kikuchi signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 32 games (20 starts) for Toronto, he posted a 6–7 record and 5.19 ERA with 124 strikeouts across 100 2/3 innings pitched. On September 30, a day after clinching a post-season berth, Kikuchi earned his first MLB save.
Education
Yusei Kikuchi honed his skills at a young age, ultimately attending a Japanese high school known for producing professional athletes. He later continued to develop his talent while playing in the NPB before his move to Major League Baseball. While details about his formal educational background are limited, his experience in competitive sports has undoubtedly contributed significantly to his knowledge and skills in baseball.
Kikuchi attended Hanamaki Higashi High School, the same high school that two-way player Shohei Ohtani would later attend. As a high school pitcher, Kikuchi had a fastball that was clocked at 154 km/h (96 mph) in 2009.
In October 2009, Kikuchi sparked controversy when it was announced that he was considering bypassing the amateur draft in Japan for the NPB and signing with an American Major League Baseball club.
Under Major League Baseball's current rules, Kikuchi would not have been subject to the MLB Draft and instead be declared a free agent, free to sign with any American team he wanted. The Texas Rangers were one of several teams interested in signing Kikuchi, as well as the Boston Red Sox.
Japanese news service reports also identified scouts from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees watching Kikuchi in tournaments. All 12 NPB teams were also reportedly interested in signing the pitcher.
