Ultimate Up to date on 27 Apr 2022 12:41 am (UK Time)
Ultimate week, Chicago Cubs outfielder, Seiya Suzuki, was once named the Nationwide League’s Participant of the Week. He additionally joined Artwork Williams (1902), Hal Jeffcoat (’48), and Tony Taylor (’58) as the one Cubs since 1901 to have a 10-game on-base streak to start out a profession. Now, he’s main the majors with a .492 on-base share and a 1.180 on-base plus slugging.
Will Seiya Suzuki win 2022 NL Rookie of The 12 months?
Seiya was once now not a well-liked selection for NL Rookie of the 12 months forward of the season. Most of the people didn’t see the outstanding debut coming. His early at-bats for the Cubs in spring coaching were tough, with 5 strikeouts, one stroll, and one hit-by-pitch in 11 plate appearances over his first 4 video games.
However no one within the membership was once truly frightened about what the stats stated in spring coaching. His numbers in Japan talk for themselves. Suzuki hit .315 with a .414 on-base share and .985 OPS all the way through his 9 seasons with the Hiroshima Carp. Ultimate season, Suzuki was once the Central League batting and on-base share chief and was once named NPB All-Celebrity for the 5th time in his profession. He was once additionally awarded his 5th profession Central League Golden Glove Award and 6th instantly Absolute best 9 Award.
Aapting to the MLB
Some consider that the unheard of get entry to to information that he had by no means skilled in Nippon Skilled Baseball was once the important thing to serving to him alter to MLB pitching. On the other hand, Suzuki hasn’t used any of that data.
“I haven’t checked out any of the knowledge,” Suzuki stated.
“That’s what I think is crucial,” he stated. “I simply have my very own little information in my head that I depend on.”
“There have been numerous issues that I used to be seeking to be all ears to all the way through spring coaching, however as soon as the season began, it’s simply me and the pitcher.”
“I used to be additionally frightened concerning the speed and the other pitch sorts they’ve over right here. … However as soon as the season began, it was once simply the sport. I simply wish to get the effects and I’m satisfied I’ve been ready to try this.”
Seiya Suzuki vs. Ichiro Suzuki
Even though they percentage a surname, Suzuki isn’t associated with Ichiro Suzuki, the previous Seattle Mariners superstar who had his odd debut in 2001. Ichiro Suzuki’s first season earned him each most respected participant and rookie of the yr — making him the twond participant in MLB historical past to win the 2 awards in the similar yr.
The comparisons between the 2 were coming because the 2012 draft, wherein Seiya was once decided on out of highschool through the Hiroshima Carp in the second one spherical. Later, he was once nicknamed the “red-helmeted Ichiro.” He was once additionally to begin with given the similar quantity as Ichiro, 51, ahead of converting to No. 1 for the 2019 season.
Mike Trout’s Large Fan
When Seiya Suzuki was once requested why he selected the quantity 27 at his introductory press, he didn’t hesitate to take the mic and stated, “Mike Trout. I really like you.”
Suzuki’s admiration for Trout began in 2015 when Hiroki Kuroda rejoined the Carp after 7 seasons and 79 wins for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Yankees.
“There was once a time Kuroda advised me a couple of participant I reminded him of with a equivalent construct and ability set. He advised me if I paintings onerous, I might be like him.” Mike Trout was once the participant Kuroda referenced to encourage Suzuki.
“I began on the lookout for a video of this man,” Suzuki defined. “When I discovered it, I used to be mesmerized through his ability. He may run, he may throw, he may hit, and he had energy. For Kuroda San to inform me I had it inside myself to grow to be that roughly participant was once so inspiring. It gave me nice motivation on the actual time I wished it maximum. It influenced my coaching, my nutrition, and my complete method. I become so a lot more occupied with turning into that man.”
It’s nonetheless too early for a ROTY communicate; alternatively, Suzuki is appearing nice hitting energy and persistence on the plate.
Because the season is going on, if he assists in keeping adjusting and enjoying at those ranges, then he would be sure that a ROTY identify for himself.