Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs in 2022 got here with some flare because of Seiya Suzuki.
The previous Nippon star from Japan got here to the workforce when he signed a five-year deal on March 18, 2022.
His signing was the most important transfer by the Cubs that season, and he didn’t disappoint to start out the season.
In his first month with the workforce, he was named the NL Participant of the Week and NL Rookie of the Month.
His nine-game hitting streak to start out his MLB profession additionally had everybody raving about him.
Longest hitting streak to start MLB profession, Cubs since at the least 1901:
2022 Seiya Suzuki: 9 video games**
1943 Andy Pafko: 9 video games** energetic streak prolonged in the present day
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 19, 2022
Nevertheless, the honeymoon was quick, as Suzuki went on a stoop and likewise had an harm to his left ring finger later within the season.
Whereas he had points, he nonetheless completed his 2022 season with some strong numbers.
In 111 video games, he had 104 hits, 22 doubles, 14 dwelling runs, and two triples.
His .262 batting common and .769 OPS have been additionally strong as nicely.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t reside as much as his numbers from his days as a participant in Japan.
His Nippon Skilled Baseball profession noticed him batting a .315 common, a lot increased than his 2022 numbers within the MLB.
Whereas the numbers are decrease, it indicators how he’s making the change from the NPB to MLB.
The silver lining right here is how he could make enhancements.
Whereas his begin to 2022 was scorching, he had moments of cooling down.
However historical past exhibits followers he’s able to having hitting streaks and exhibiting dominance on the plate.
Along with his 2022 efficiency being strong general, he can simply make a second-year enchancment in 2023.
