After being one of the best in Japan, Seiya Suzuki decided it was time for him to make the transition to MLB. He did so in 2022 when the Chicago Cubs signed him to a five-year contract.
Despite battling some injuries throughout the years, Suzuki has been solid, but he really stepped up his game last season. Across 151 games, the slugger hit .245/.326/.478 with a career-high 32 home runs and 103 runs batted in.
And with Kyle Tucker gone, Suzuki will be expected to put up similar, if not better, numbers than he did last season. However, many analysts are high on him this summer, pegging him as one player to watch out for.
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MLB analyst believes Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki is one to pay attention to this season
Seiya Suzuki is getting a bit of a head start on high-profile games early this year. He is representing Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
Despite the obvious injury concern, players getting to play in these games are being put in a postseason environment where every pitch matters. That’s a lot different than the few at-bats these starters get in the spring.
With the headstart, Suzuki could play a huge role in the Cubs’ success this season. ESPN ranks him as the 92nd-best player coming into 2026, and Eric Karabell believes he could be in store for a career year.
“Season prediction: Suzuki agrees to a new four-year contract in April, earns his first All-Star berth and tops his power numbers with 35 home runs and 110 RBIs.”
If Suzuki can do this, the Cubs will be a team to watch out for in the NL. They have all the pieces to potentially win the division and go on a strong postseason run once October rolls along.
