Of course he is!
The Chicago Cubs may have paid 27-year-old outfielder Seiya Suzuki $85 million to join their team this offseason, but he still counts as a rookie in the eyes of MLB. And as a rookie, with extensive professional experience in Japan, Suzuki entered the season as one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year in the National League.
There’s still a very long way to go before that award is handed out, but Suzuki got off the a FANTASTIC start last month, earning him NL Player of the Week honors a couple weeks ago and NL Rookie of the Month honors for April just today.
Seiya Suzuki, NL Rookie of the Month. pic.twitter.com/Oz6hYiyxSr
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 2, 2022
Congratulations to Seiya Suzuki on being named National League Rookie of the Month!
鈴木誠也選手ナショナル・リーグ月間新人賞獲得おめでとうございます! pic.twitter.com/AZ9luBtPqB
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 2, 2022
Suzuki actually closed out the month with an 0-11 streak and was STILL good enough to take home the award. Overall, in April, he slashed .279/.405/.529 (164 wRC+), with a brilliant 16.7% walk rate and a 27.4% strikeout rate. Included in those numbers: five doubles, four homers, one stolen base, and 14 RBI.
He’s been patient, selective, powerful, and an absolute treat on and off the field.
If we could all wake up with the positive energy of Seiya Suzuki, it's gonna be a good day. pic.twitter.com/HL5XRwPgKk
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 28, 2022
It hasn’t been all roses, of course (hence that 0-for he broke up with an RBI double on Sunday), but we had to stretch to identify his primary area of weakness.
Okay, So We Finally Found the Thing Seiya Suzuki May Need to Work On – https://t.co/LhGZKa1CoB pic.twitter.com/vxAAXvwTtE
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 28, 2022
Suzuki may not stay this good all season, but so far, he’s been just about everything you could ask for and then some for the Cubs.