Cubs superstar Seiya Suzuki sizzling start at the plate could lead to a record setting season
Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki has been hitting the cover off the ball over the first 10 games of the season. Suzuki’s sizzling start at the plate has earned him the honors of National League Player of the Week award.
The Japanese import is hitting .429 with four home runs, 11 RBIs, nine runs and 12 hits in 28 at-bats. Over the last six games, Suzuki has posted .412/.545/1.059 slash line with five runs, seven hits, two doubles, three home runs, five RBIs and five walks.
In a short period of time, Suzuki is beginning to become a transformational player. Suzuki is only 27 years old and in the prime of his career. The Cubs rookie is like none other considering he already has 3,500 career plate appearances to his name after playing Nippon Professional Baseball League.
Suzuki’s eye-popping OPS has been impressive and he’s already put together a nine-game hitting streak. The Cubs right fielder is becoming a student of the game in order to excel at the plate in the United States.
He’s been using the data that the Cubs have been giving him to get an edge at the plate while also using the data in his own head.
“Obviously, they have a lot of great data here,” Suzuki said. “But when you step in the box, there is some different stuff that you feel that is the most important thing. I have my own data in my head that I rely on.”
Suzuki’s hot start at the plate has him on pace to finish the year with a 16.0 WAR, the great Babe Ruth set a record of 15.0 back in 1923. Again, the season is only 10 games old but Suzuki is making the case to have a record setting year.
His teammates have taken notice on what Suzuki has done since joining the Cubs. Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks commented to The Athletic on Suzuki.
“He doesn’t take an at-bat off,” Hendricks said. “I know facing guys like that, it’s a headache. Every at-bat is tough. You don’t know quite where to go and he puts swings on balls in every area of the zone. He covers everything. That’s really tough to game plan (for) and attack against a guy like that. I’m glad he’s on our side.”
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