Yusei Kikuchi
From BR Bullpen
Yusei Kikuchi (菊池 雄星)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 181 lb.
- High School Hanamaki Higashi High School
- Born June 17, 1991 in Morioka, Iwate Japan
[edit] Biographical Information
Yusei Kikuchi drew notice in 2009 when he was timed at 96 mph during the Koshien Tournament, a new record for a left-hander since the event began using the radar gun in 1980. He met with 8 major league teams and all 12 Nippon Pro Baseball clubs that winter, then decided to remain in Japan to begin his professional career. Six of the 12 NPB clubs named him #1 overall in the draft that year; the Seibu Lions won his rights. He debuted with the big club on June 12, 2011 with a rocky outing against the Hanshin Tigers (6 H, 4 ER in 2 1/3 IP). For the year, he went 4-1 with a 4.14 ERA for Seibu.
