The Seiya Suzuki Chronicles

There aren't many fun topics to talk about in regards to Major League Baseball right now during the lockout, but Seiya Suzuki gives us one.

The prowess of Japanese baseball players is recognized internationally, and a couple generational talents have personified athletic greatness just this century. Seiya Suzuki could very well join Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani as the next Japanese ballplayer to be indelibly edged in time.

Shohei Ohtani famously took over Major League Baseball in 2021, winning American League MVP to cap off a historic two-way season, and Ichiro Suzuki had an illustrious 28-year career that consisted of spectacular play in both Japan and the United States. The new microscope examining Japanese prospects has its lens focused on Seiya Suzuki, a four-time Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star who has slashed 189 home runs with a .309 batting average for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp since 2013.

Several MLB front offices are engaged in an arms race to sign the standout Japanese outfielder. Seiya Suzuki will be 27 years old for the majority of the upcoming MLB season, if it isn’t delayed by the lockout. As it currently stands, Suzuki is training in Okinawa as he waits for the players union and the higher-ups at Major League Baseball to reach an agreement so the 2022 season can officially commence. There’s been no indication by Suzuki that he will return to the Toyo Carp if the MLB season is delayed, so it seems likely that he will sign with an MLB squad as soon as possible.

American baseball media has tied Suzuki closely to the Boston Red Sox, who seem to be the favorites to sign him as they look to improve their outfield. Suzuki isn’t just a threat on the offensive end, he also brings solid defense to the diamond, winning three Gold Glove Awards for his skills in the outfield. The truth is that any team would be thrilled to acquire him, and data suggests he would be a notable contributor to team wins. Statistics are slightly inflated in Japanese leagues when they are compared to American leagues, but his projections still have him in a very solid tier of MLB ballplayers.

According to Fangraphs, Seiya Suzuki, if slotted into an MLB team’s outfield, increases their playoff chances by a median of roughly six percent, depending on roster fit. For example, if he were to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, their playoff chances would jump from 57.7% to 71.5%. That’s a notable leap, and projects his ability to make an impact. Perhaps he'll join forces with Shohei on the Angels. That would increase their chances from 24.7% to 34.7%. It's all wishful thinking for MLB front offices vying to get their hands on him, and we'll see if the Boston rumors come true in what hopefully will be a few weeks.

While professional athletes often avoid specifics when compared between other players, that may be inescapable for Seiya considering he shares the same last name, position (outfield), number (51), height (5’11”), and league of origin (NPB) with Ichiro. I know Seattle fans would be happy to have him, given that their playoff chances already seem higher than the Angels' without considering the next Suzuki playing for the Mariners.

Regardless of how his numbers will stack up against Ohtani’s or Ichiro’s, Seiya Suzuki will help inspire the generations that follow with his boundless determination in making it this far. The transition to the world’s biggest stage for baseball will undoubtedly draw eyes from young players across the globe, especially those in his hometown of Tokyo.