Matchup Machine | Ballpark Pal

Miguel Vargas

matchup for Yusei Kikuchi

77th out of 436 (Best 18%)

Yusei Kikuchi

matchup for Miguel Vargas

510th out of 567 (Worst 10%)

Strong advantage for Kikuchi

Miguel Vargas has a 25.5% chance of reaching base vs Yusei Kikuchi, which is 4.8% lower than Vargas's typical expectations, and 2.1% lower than batters facing Kikuchi.

	Reach	Hit	HR	2B / 3B	1B	BB	K
Prediction	25.5%	16.0%	2.2%	4.9%	8.9%	9.5%	37.5%
Vargas	-4.8	-1.9	-0.1	+0.2	-2.0	-2.9	+8.7
Kikuchi	-2.1	-4.7	-0.5	-0.2	-4.0	+2.7	+6.5

Miguel Vargas is slightly better vs left-handed pitching. Yusei Kikuchi is left handed with a horizontal release toward the first base side. Vargas has a D grade vs this particular release point.

Yusei Kikuchi throws a 4-seam fastball 44% of the time. Miguel Vargas has an F grade against left-handed 4-seamers

Pitch Type

% of Arsenal

4-Seam (L)

44%

Slider (L)

24%

Changeup (L)

11%

Curve (L)

11%

Cutter (L)

7% of Yusei Kikuchi's pitches are classified as Strong Challenges, which is 2% higher than the MLB average. Miguel Vargas hasn't faced this type of pitch very often.

Show pitch label key

Pitch Label

% vs MLB

Strong Challenge 7%

+2%

Mid Challenge 13%

+2%

Fringe Miss 13%

+0%

Non-Competitive 13%

+0%

Edge Painter 17%

+0%

Chaser 6%

Meatball 5%

-1%

Weak Challenge 7%

-2%

Likely Ball 17%

-2%

28% of Yusei Kikuchi's pitches are classified as Fast Velocity, which is 18% higher than the MLB average. Miguel Vargas has an F grade against this type of pitch.

Physical Trait

% vs MLB

Fast Velo 28%

+18%

Minimal Break 18%

+8%

Medium Ride 22%

+8%

13.9% of Miguel Vargas's plate appearances result in a strikeout, which is 1.1% lower than the league average. Yusei Kikuchi strikes out 18.4% of the batters he faces, which is 4.3% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

15%

Strikeout -1.1% +4.3% 3%

Walk +2.5% -1.5% 40%

In Play -1.3% -2.8% 39%

On Base -5.5% -1.2% 31%

Hit -8.0% +0.3% 14%

Single -4.0% +0.0% 13%

2B / 3B -3.5% +0.2% 3%

Home Run -0.5% +0.0%

28.2% of Miguel Vargas's batted balls are classified as Standard Grounders, which is 6.2% lower than the league average. Yusei Kikuchi induces Standard Grounders at a 36.4% rate, which is 2.0% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

Squib/Bunt -0.5% -0.5% 34%

Standard Grounder -6.2% +2.0% 7%

Hard Grounder -2.5% +0.9% 14%

Low Screamer +6.8% -3.0% 9%

Rising Liner +1.1% -0.9% 4%

Maybe Homer -1.3% -0.1% 3%

Likely Homer -1.1% +0.9% 1%

No Doubter -1.0% +1.0% 20%

Routine Flyout +2.6% +0.4% 3%

Pop up +2.1% -0.6%

15.8% of Miguel Vargas's batted balls are above 100 mph when they exit the bat, which is 8.5% lower than the league average. 28.5% of batted balls allowed by Yusei Kikuchi are hit at above 100 mph, which is 4.2% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

16%

Below 75 mph +0.8% -2.7% 21%

75 to 86 mph +10.8% -2.6% 18%

87 to 93 mph -0.2% +0.5% 19%

94 to 99 mph -2.9% +0.6% 24%

Above 100 mph -8.5% +4.2%

15.5% of Miguel Vargas's batted balls exit the bat at a launch angle between 29 and 38 degrees, which is 4.1% higher than the league average. 12.3% of batted balls allowed by Yusei Kikuchi are hit at this angle, which is 0.8% higher than the typical MLB rate.

MLB Typical BP Label

17%

Below -10° -3.6% +1.6% 12%

-10 to 0° -6.0% +1.7% 8%

1 to 6° -0.1% +0.5% 18%

7 to 18° +1.5% -2.9% 15%

19 to 28° -0.9% +0.1% 11%

29 to 38° +4.1% +0.8% 7%

39 to 50° +3.8% +0.2% 8%

Above 50° +1.2% -2.0%

Miguel Vargas has 3 plate appearances against Yusei Kikuchi in the last 3 years. He is 1 for 3 with a double and

	PA	AB	H	HR	2/3B	1B	K	BB	Avg
Actual	3	3	1	0	1	0	1	0	0.333
Expected From Contact →			0.00	0.00	1.00	0.00			0.000

		Expected From Contact
Date	Outcome	HR	2/3B	1B	Out
2025-03-27	Flyout
2025-03-27	Strikeout
2025-03-27	Double

Expected From Contact: A model predicts the outcome of every ball hit in play based on how it leaves the bat (exit velocity, launch angle, direction, and batter handedness). This helps control for luck, weather, and the park the hitter was in.

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Model Prediction

Handedness and Release Point

Click on a grade for a detailed view

On the Way to the Plate

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Contact and Outcomes

History

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Model Prediction

Handedness and Release Point

Click on a grade for a detailed view

On the Way to the Plate

Click on a grade for a detailed view

Contact and Outcomes

History

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