Yusei Kikuchi might be in the major leagues right now if he'd chosen differently.
He drew a lot of interest from MLB clubs while at Iwate Prefecture's Hanamaki Higashi High School in 2009, but decided to begin his career in Japan. Now just a few years later, the Seibu Lions left-hander is blossoming into one of NPB's best young arms.
"As I've experienced things as a professional, I've gradually realized various things, such as, 'Oh, I can't throw this pitch to this particular batter' or 'I shouldn't think this way in this situation,' " Kikuchi told the Japan Times on Saturday at Seibu Dome. "These are mental things. I have more composure and confidence now."