Seiya Suzuki's Breakout Has Been Vital for the Cubs

Suzuki has been a mainstay in Chicago's lineup since the Cubs inked him to a five-year contract before the 2022 season. Although he has posted respectable numbers in the past, and he has always been among the league-leaders in barrel and hard hit rate's, Suzuki is taking things to another level in 2025. 

After collecting 10 RBIs last week, Suzuki is leading MLB in the category with 49 on the year. Suzuki reaching 14 home runs before Memorial Day (about 1/3 through the season) is also a much faster rate than we've seen in the past as his career high in MLB is 21 (2024). In fact, Suzuki is on pace to shatter many of his personal records in MLB if he can stay healthy.

Suzuki has been a vital part of the Cubs' high-octane offense, which is leading the league in runs scored (322) through the team's first 54 games. Suzuki has mostly focused on being the team's designated hitter this year, which may be helping his approach at the plate. That being said, he did a fantastic job filling in for Ian Happ in left field when he hit the injured list in early May. 

Consistently hitting behind Kyle Tucker has also seemingly helped Suzuki put together better at-bats, but he has also simply come through in a lot of clutch moments for the Cubs this year. 

One of those moments came in Sunday's 11-8 win in Cincinnati, where Suzuki blasted a go-ahead three-run homer to seal the Cubs' comeback victory. 

This is a version of Seiya Suzuki that the Cubs needed this year and he is emerging as one of the most consistent power hitters on the team. With Dansby Swanson having an up year, Pete Crow-Armstrong emerging as a superstar, and Tucker providing a solid offensive floor, the Cubs may be able to keep their offensive barrage going for the rest of the year.