The Blue Jays and Astros made a significant trade on July 29, as former All-Star Yusei Kikuchi is headed to Houston for three prospects. Among the return received from the Astros included Jake Bloss and Joey Loperfido, two of Houston’s top prospects, and infielder Will Wagner.
The Astros’ Return
- SP Yusei Kikuchi (4.75 ERA, 130 K over 115.2 IP)
The Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi after the 2021 season, an All-Star campaign for the former Mariner. Kikuchi struck out 163 over 157 frames for Seattle that campaign but things proved to be very shaky in his first season with the Jays. The lefty conceded 23 home runs over 100 frames and walked 58 in what was a very difficult season for Kikuchi.
Things changed for Kikuchi in 2023. Adjustments were made to his delivery and it worked, as Kikuchi averaged a 2.6 BB/9 for Toronto, struck out 181 over 167.2 IP, and posted a career-best 3.86 ERA. This season hasn’t been great from an ERA perspective. But, Kikuchi does have a strong 3.64 FIP and averaged 10.1 K/9 before the trade.
When clicking, the lefty has electric stuff. Kikuchi has a mid-90s fastball with plus extension that can be blown by hitters, along with two breaking balls (curve and slider) and a new circle-change he worked into his arsenal this season. His Whiff% (28.1%) rate ranked in the 71st percentile per Statcast.
Kikuchi will be a free agent after the 2024 season.
The Blue Jays’ Return
- SP Jake Bloss (6.94 ERA, 11 K over 11.2 IP)
- INF/OF Joey Loperfido (.236/.299/.358, two HR, and eight XBH over 38 G)
- INF Will Wagner (.307/.424/.429, five HR and 20 XBH over 70 G (AAA))
The Astros gave up two pieces on their Major League roster: Jake Bloss and Joey Loperfido.
We’ll start with Bloss, a Georgetown product who blew his way through the Minors and made his MLB debut less than a year after he was drafted. His MLB results haven’t been great, although there are a lot of promising signs with Bloss.
The new Jays righty has a popping fastball that plays up thanks to plus extension and posted a 33.3% Chase% at the MLB level. Bloss will work in a mid-90s fastball, a curveball, a slider, a slower sweeper, a changeup, and a sinker. The 23-year-old projects to be a mid-rotation arm at the MLB level.
The other player with MLB experience in this deal is Joey Loperfido. Loperfido demonstrated immense power in the Minors, as he cracked 25 home runs last year in the Minors. He also stole 27 bases. This season, he posted a .933 OPS in the Minors before forcing a promotion. However, he hasn’t shined (.657 OPS) as a Major League.
Loperfido has plus speed, power, and can get on base. He does have a longer swing, as we noted when Loperfido was originally called up. It’s a concern but his swing has worked for him to this point.
Both Loperfido (#5) and Bloss (#10) ranked in the top 10 of the Astros’ farm system.
Toronto also netted Triple-A infielder Will Wagner, the son of Billy Wagner. Wagner doesn’t have great power — his career-high home run total is 10 — but he projects as a utilityman who can hit and get on base. Wagner posted a career MiLB OBP of .399 before the deal.
Analysis
The Astros gave up a haul in the trade for Yusei Kikuchi. However, this does come as Houston is down Justin Verlander and Cristian Javier, the latter of whom is done for 2024 thanks to Tommy John surgery recovery.
Houston doesn’t need Kikuchi to be a top starter, just keep the line moving behind Framber Valdez and Ronel Blanco. And, it comes amidst what could be the Astros’ last run toward a World Series championship with this core. Third baseman Alex Bregman will become a free agent after this season.
As for the Blue Jays, Toronto netted an immediate replacement for Kikuchi in Bloss, who will be under team control for six seasons. The same can be said for Loperfido, a left-handed hitter with speed, power, and athleticism. Toronto does have a long-term hole in center field, a position Loperfido saw brief time in the Majors but does have MiLB experience there, as well.