Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki Land on MLB's Top-10 Right Now

Coming over to the Cubs via trade in December, fans know exactly what the organization has in Kyle Tucker: a boneified superstar.

Finishing in the top five last season in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS+, walk percentage, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and chase percentage, Tucker would have competed for the MVP crown had he played more than 78 games.

In Tucker’s last four seasons, he’s averaged 28 home runs, 90 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 29 doubles, and a .280/.362/.527 slash line. Playing in just 78 games in 2024, Tucker would’ve crushed all of his previous highs in terms of offensive numbers had it not been for a fluke injury earlier in the season.

2025 will be a huge season for Tucker, and rightfully so. Entering his free-agent season, FanGraphs has him predicted to hit 32 home runs, 33 doubles, 95 RBIs, 81 walks, 21 stolen bases, and a .277 batting average. Those numbers are more than good enough for Tom Ricketts to finally open up his check book and pay a superstar caliber player what he deserves.

Seiya Suzuki at Number 5

Seiya Suzuki catches a lot of undeserved attention as a “not-so-great” right fielder, mostly because of a fluke play against the Atlanta Braves in 2023. Is he a Jason Heyward caliber right fielder? No, but not many players are.

Here’s the thing about Suzuki, what he “lacks” in defense he more than makes up for on the offensive side. In his last two seasons with the Cubs, the righty has averaged at least a .280 batting average, 20 home runs, and 20 doubles.

In my unprofessional, dumb opinion, a team can easily make up for a player’s “subpar” defense if their offense can hold up. Suzuki’s offense easily makes up for that. And think about this: the current plan for Suzuki in 2025 is to take the bulk of the DH spot in the Cubs lineup.

FanGraphs has Suzuki slated to continue his 20+ average with the Japanese slugger predicted to hit 22 home runs, 26 doubles, and 80 RBIs with a .258 average.