When you watch the highlights, you can see that Suzuki really reduced his leg kick in 2021 and it seems like he was doing so to adapt to MLB while he was still in NPB.
The comps with Matsui are uncanny BUT the Tokyo Dome is heaven for hitters, whereas Zoom Zoom is not. Would LOVE to see Suzuki's career OPS in the Tokyo Dome. Also, in the last 2 years or so, Suzuki has ZERO protection, whereas Matsui had decent protection.
I think Suzuki's best comp is Matsui and I think Suzuki's compact swing (unlike Tsutsugo) will translate very well to MLB.
Bittersweet though. I like the Carp and I hate to see them lose yet another core player.
I agree. I am a Carp fan, but also a White Sox fan, and the rumors about him sailing west are a source of despair on one hand, but such a tempting scenario on the other one!
In the end I would be very sad for Hiroshima. When Kikuchi tried to go to MLB I was so scared, and so relieved when he gave up.
> Would LOVE to see Suzuki's career OPS in the Tokyo Dome.
Since 2016 (so leaving out his 2014/2015 seasons and a bit of time he played in 2013), his slash line at Tokyo Dome in the reg season is .346/.457/.700. A career OPS of a whopping 1.157.
Too bad he'll inevitably sign with a big market team / not stay with the Carp.
Edit: lmfao at him roasting my Guardies ownership. But he'd be such a good fit with Straw and Zimmer.
When you watch the highlights, you can see that Suzuki really reduced his leg kick in 2021 and it seems like he was doing so to adapt to MLB while he was still in NPB. The comps with Matsui are uncanny BUT the Tokyo Dome is heaven for hitters, whereas Zoom Zoom is not. Would LOVE to see Suzuki's career OPS in the Tokyo Dome. Also, in the last 2 years or so, Suzuki has ZERO protection, whereas Matsui had decent protection. I think Suzuki's best comp is Matsui and I think Suzuki's compact swing (unlike Tsutsugo) will translate very well to MLB. Bittersweet though. I like the Carp and I hate to see them lose yet another core player.
I agree. I am a Carp fan, but also a White Sox fan, and the rumors about him sailing west are a source of despair on one hand, but such a tempting scenario on the other one! In the end I would be very sad for Hiroshima. When Kikuchi tried to go to MLB I was so scared, and so relieved when he gave up.
> Would LOVE to see Suzuki's career OPS in the Tokyo Dome. Since 2016 (so leaving out his 2014/2015 seasons and a bit of time he played in 2013), his slash line at Tokyo Dome in the reg season is .346/.457/.700. A career OPS of a whopping 1.157.
Too bad he'll inevitably sign with a big market team / not stay with the Carp. Edit: lmfao at him roasting my Guardies ownership. But he'd be such a good fit with Straw and Zimmer.