Yusei Kikuchi's impending move to the major leagues this winter has been planned out long in advance, according to sources close to the left-handed pitcher.
From the instant the Seibu Lions announced they would be willing to post their No. 1 pitcher this offseason, Kikuchi began sidestepping questions when asked what he himself wanted to do. But for years now, he had been preparing for this opportunity both on and off the field.
"He has been building up to this for several years now, with English lessons once a week," a source told Kyodo News recently on condition of anonymity. "He would like to be the first Japanese player to make a speech (at his opening news conference) in English."