Seiya Suzuki is a highly accomplished baseball player who has made a name for himself in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in Japan. With five All-Star selections, six Best Nine Awards, and five Golden Glove Awards, Suzuki has proven himself to be one of the top players in the league.
However, the question remains: how good is Seiya Suzuki, and how would his skills translate to the highest level of professional baseball in the world, Major League Baseball (MLB)?
In this blog post, we will examine Suzuki’s career in the NPB, analyze his strengths and weaknesses as a player, and evaluate his potential as an MLB player based on his early performance with the Chicago Cubs.
Suzuki’s Npb Career
Seiya Suzuki began his professional baseball career in 2013 with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league.
Since then, he has become one of the most accomplished players in the league, with a career batting average of .300 and a slugging percentage of .554. He has also hit 174 home runs and driven 536 runs in his career.
Suzuki’s accomplishments in the NPB include five All-Star selections, six Best Nine Awards (given to the best player at each position), and five Golden Glove Awards (given to the best defensive player at each position). In 2019, Suzuki won the league’s MVP award after hitting .335 with 37 home runs and 104 RBIs.
Suzuki is known for his power at the plate and his strong arm in the outfield. He has excellent bat speed and generates a lot of power with a quick swing.
Suzuki also has good plate discipline, with a career on-base percentage of .370. In the outfield, he covers a lot of ground and has a strong arm, which has resulted in many outfields assists throughout his career.
Despite his strengths, Suzuki does have some weaknesses in his game. He strikes out at a high rate, with a career strikeout rate of 23.5%. Additionally, he has struggled against left-handed pitching throughout his career, hitting just .241 against them compared to .317 against right-handed pitching.
When compared to other notable NPB players, Suzuki’s career stacks up well. His career batting average and slugging percentage are both higher than those of former MLB players Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui.
However, it is worth noting that the level of competition in the NPB is different from that of the MLB, so it remains to be seen how Suzuki’s skills would translate to the highest level of professional baseball.
How Suzuki’s Skills Could Translate to the Mlb?
There are several key differences between Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Major League Baseball (MLB) that could affect how Seiya Suzuki’s skills translate to the MLB level. For example, the baseball used in the NPB is slightly smaller and lighter than the one used in the MLB, which can affect how the ball travels and how it is hit.
Despite these differences, there are several reasons to believe that Suzuki’s skills could translate well to the MLB. For one, he has demonstrated the ability to hit for power and get on base at a high level in the NPB, which are valuable skills in any league.
Additionally, his strong arm and defensive abilities in the outfield should also be assets in the MLB.
When compared to other NPB players who have successfully transitioned to the MLB, such as Shohei Ohtani and Masahiro Tanaka, Suzuki’s skills appear to be similarly well-suited for the MLB game.
Ohtani, in particular, has shown that Japanese players can make a significant impact in the MLB, as he has become one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the league.
Of course, there are also some challenges that Suzuki may face in the MLB, such as adjusting to the different styles of pitching and the larger playing fields.
However, based on his track record in the NPB and his early performance with the Chicago Cubs, there are many reasons to be optimistic about his ability to succeed at the MLB level.
Suzuki’s Start With the Cubs
Seiya Suzuki made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in April 2023, and his early performance with the team has been promising.
In his first eight games, Suzuki hit safely in each game, joining Andy Pafko and Joe Munson as the only Cubs players in the last 100 seasons to start their careers with an eight-game hitting streak.
Despite his early success, there are some aspects of Suzuki’s game that may need improvement as he adjusts to the MLB.
For example, he has struck out at a high rate so far, with a strikeout rate of over 35% through his first eight games. Additionally, he has yet to hit for much power, with just one extra-base hit in his first 30 at-bats.
However, there are also many reasons to be optimistic about Suzuki’s ability to succeed in the MLB. He has shown good plate discipline, with a walk rate of over 10%, and his ability to make contact and get on base should be valuable assets for the Cubs.
Additionally, Suzuki has already shown that he has a strong arm in the outfield, which should help him contribute defensively.
When compared to other notable MLB rookies, Suzuki’s start with the Cubs is particularly impressive. For example, Mike Trout, widely regarded as one of the best players in the game today, hit just .220 in his first 40 MLB at-bats.
Similarly, Aaron Judge, another standout player, hit just .179 in his first 56 at-bats. While it is still early in Suzuki’s MLB career, his strong start is certainly reason to be excited about his future with the Cubs.
Seiya Suzuki’s Career Statistics in the Nippon Professional Baseball (Npb) to Those of Some Other Notable Japanese Players
| Player | NPB Batting Average | NPB Home Runs | NPB RBI | MLB Batting Average | MLB Home Runs | MLB RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seiya Suzuki | .317 | 191 | 583 | – | – | – |
| Ichiro Suzuki | .353 | 118 | 529 | .311 | 117 | 780 |
| Hideki Matsui | .304 | 332 | 889 | .282 | 175 | 760 |
| Shohei Ohtani | .286 | 70 | 175 | .274 | 83 | 198 |
This table shows the career statistics of Seiya Suzuki, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Shohei Ohtani in both the NPB and MLB.
While Suzuki has yet to make his MLB debut, his impressive numbers in the NPB suggest that he has the potential to make a big impact in the league.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Seiya Suzuki play?
Suzuki is an outfielder who primarily plays in the right field.
What is Seiya Suzuki’s batting average in the NPB?
As of his last season in the NPB in 2021, Suzuki had a career batting average of .317.
Has Seiya Suzuki won any MVP awards in the NPB?
Although he has not won the NPB MVP award, Suzuki has won multiple Best Nine Awards, which are given to the top players at each position in the league.
How does Seiya Suzuki’s NPB career compare to other notable NPB players?
Suzuki’s career stats compare favorably to other top players in the NPB, such as Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui. However, he has yet to match their success in the MLB.
How much did the Chicago Cubs pay to acquire Seiya Suzuki?
The Cubs signed Suzuki to a four-year, $28 million contract in December 2022.
How does Seiya Suzuki compare to other Japanese players who have come to the MLB?
Suzuki’s combination of power, speed, and defensive abilities compare favorably to other Japanese players who have successfully transitioned to the MLB, such as Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani.
What are some of Seiya Suzuki’s weaknesses as a player?
While Suzuki has many strengths, such as his ability to get on base and hit for power, he has struggled with a high strikeout rate at times and may need to adjust to the different style of pitching in the MLB.
What is Seiya Suzuki’s potential for the future?
Based on his track record in the NPB and his early success with the Cubs, Suzuki has the potential to become a standout player in the MLB for years to come. However, it remains to be seen how he will adjust to the different playing styles and competitions in the league.
To Recap
Seiya Suzuki’s career has been marked by impressive accomplishments in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), including multiple All-Star appearances, Best Nine Awards, and Golden Glove Awards.
Based on his track record in the NPB and his early performance with the Chicago Cubs, there are many reasons to be optimistic about his ability to succeed at the Major League Baseball (MLB) level as well.
Suzuki’s strengths as a player, such as his ability to hit for power and get on base at a high level, as well as his strong arm and defensive abilities in the outfield, should translate well to the MLB game.
While there may be some challenges for him to adjust to the different style of pitching and larger playing fields, Suzuki’s early success with the Cubs is promising and bodes well for his future in the league.
Comparisons to other successful NPB players who have transitioned to the MLB, such as Shohei Ohtani and Masahiro Tanaka, suggest that Suzuki has what it takes to make a significant impact in the league.
Furthermore, his impressive start with the Cubs, including his eight-game hitting streak, compares favorably to other notable MLB rookies and is a sign of things to come.
Overall, Seiya Suzuki’s career is one to watch, and he has the potential to become a standout player at the MLB level for years to come.
