Chicago Cubs rookie Seiya Suzuki has had no trouble at all adapting to MLB pitching, as he's cruising out the gates since making the move over from Japan. His tremendous play has been rewarded already, as the 28-year-old has taken home an MLB accolade just two weeks into his big-league career. MLB announced Monday that Suzuki had been named National League Player of the Week as a reward for his prolific play for the Cubs.
Seiya Suzuki and @MrLapara have been unstoppable to start the year.
They are your @Chevrolet Players of the Week! pic.twitter.com/t19DEfKdCI
— MLB (@MLB) April 18, 2022
Suzuki has gotten off to a roaring start in Chicago. The 27-year-old is batting .400 and has an insane 1.503 OPS. Across 25 at-bats, the outfielder has 10 hits, 4 home runs, 11 RBI, and 7 runs. Clearly, the league has taken notice of his blistering start and handed him his first-ever MLB accolade, with many more expected to come along in his Cubs career based on how he's been playing.
Suzuki's decision to join MLB was highly coveted, as many teams were eager to get their hands on the Japanese slugger. Ultimately, the Cubs won the bidding war, and it's paid dividends.
He played nine seasons in the NPB in Japan, where he was one of the league's top talents. In his final season playing for Hiroshima, Suzuki launched 38 home runs and drove in 88 RBI. Back in 2019, he flexed the muscle and speed with a 28-home run, 25-stolen base season. In all, Suzuki was a five-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, hitting 189 home runs during his tenure in the NPB.
That talent has translated to MLB immediately, and he's proving to be one of the acquisitions of the offseason, with Cubs fans delighted to have him on board in the Windy City.
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