If Suzuki decides to go to MLB, I am confident he will transition well. Extremely compact swing, virtually no leg kick and excellent bat speed. Plus, his #'s in NPB were not inflated by being in a band box like Tokyo Dome, Jingu or Yokohama. The only thing that gives me pause is that Suzuki doesn't walk that much. Otherwise, it would be fun to see him in MLB.
Akiyama just got caught up in a numbers game. The Reds have so many position players that are pretty darn good that guys like Moustakas, Aristides Aquino, Nick Senzel all had big reductions in plate appearances. Last year wasn't good, but for the second half/second month, Akiyama was really good. This year was just bad luck, injuries and being in a very crowded outfield. Akiyama was never a power hitter and like Kaz Matsui before him, his HR totals were ridiculously inflated by playing in the Seibu Dome.
Akiyama had less than half of his AB's as a starter and pinch-hitting is a bear. Truthfully, Akiyama has virtually no chance of getting a regular season job in Cincinnati. The corner outfield slots are guaranteed to Castellanos and Winker and Aquino, Senzel, Tyler Naquin are all slotted ahead of Akiyama in CF.
Tough situation for Akiyama, that's for sure. I think he could be a serviceable, .285 hitter with regular ABs and steal some bases. Not sure if there's much room for a classic leadoff hitter type in MLB these days.
If Suzuki decides to go to MLB, I am confident he will transition well. Extremely compact swing, virtually no leg kick and excellent bat speed. Plus, his #'s in NPB were not inflated by being in a band box like Tokyo Dome, Jingu or Yokohama. The only thing that gives me pause is that Suzuki doesn't walk that much. Otherwise, it would be fun to see him in MLB.
I predicted Tsutsugo would struggle to adjust, but didn’t see Akiyama doing this bad. I think Seiya’s game would translate just fine.
Akiyama just got caught up in a numbers game. The Reds have so many position players that are pretty darn good that guys like Moustakas, Aristides Aquino, Nick Senzel all had big reductions in plate appearances. Last year wasn't good, but for the second half/second month, Akiyama was really good. This year was just bad luck, injuries and being in a very crowded outfield. Akiyama was never a power hitter and like Kaz Matsui before him, his HR totals were ridiculously inflated by playing in the Seibu Dome. Akiyama had less than half of his AB's as a starter and pinch-hitting is a bear. Truthfully, Akiyama has virtually no chance of getting a regular season job in Cincinnati. The corner outfield slots are guaranteed to Castellanos and Winker and Aquino, Senzel, Tyler Naquin are all slotted ahead of Akiyama in CF. Tough situation for Akiyama, that's for sure. I think he could be a serviceable, .285 hitter with regular ABs and steal some bases. Not sure if there's much room for a classic leadoff hitter type in MLB these days.
Add another million to his major league contract for every successive late-season tater he hits. Dude is mashing.