Consistently producing hits, but as Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants) has momentarily slowed in his sensational pace, Japanese player Seiya Suzuki (31, Chicago Cubs) has emerged as the best hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB) for Asia. He is showing an incredible pace of 45 home runs, surpassing Shohei Ohtani (31, Los Angeles Dodgers).

On May 2 (Korean time), Suzuki started as the third designated hitter in the away game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pennsylvania and exploded for back-to-back home runs, his eighth and ninth of the season. Thanks to Suzuki's performance, with 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 3 RBIs, and 1 walk, the Cubs won 8-3, maintaining their first place in the National League (NL) Central Division with a record of 19 wins and 13 losses (.594 winning percentage).

Tied 2-2, he hit a left-field solo home run against Pittsburgh’s ace fireballer Paul Skins in the fifth inning. On the fourth pitch from three balls, he did not miss the splitter that came in high over the middle for a strike and pulled it over the left-field wall. The ball traveled 392 feet (119.5 meters) at a speed of 103.8 miles per hour (167.0 km/h) and a launch angle of 26 degrees. It was his eighth home run of the season and the game-winning hit.

Furthermore, in the seventh inning, leading 3-2, he exploded for a rallying home run. With two outs and a runner on first base, he didn’t miss the slider that Kyle Nicholas threw down the middle on the fourth pitch. The ball went over the left-field wall at a speed of 104.1 miles per hour (167.5 km/h), with a launch angle of 32 degrees, traveling 400 feet (121.9 meters) for his ninth home run of the season. It was his fifth career multi-home run game in the MLB.

As of that day, Suzuki has a batting average of .295 over 28 games this season, with 33 hits in 112 at-bats, 9 home runs, 28 RBIs, a on-base percentage of .365, a slugging percentage of .625, and an OPS of .990. He ranks second in the NL in slugging percentage, tied for second in home runs, tied for third in RBIs, and fourth in OPS.

Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo has a .316 batting average over 31 games, with 37 hits in 117 at-bats, 3 home runs, and 18 RBIs, along with a on-base percentage of .372, a slugging percentage of .521, and an OPS of .893. Despite creating a 'grandson of the wind' frenzy, Suzuki's overall performance, especially with 5 home runs in the last 10 games, has been even better.

Ohtani also has a batting average of .287 over 29 games, with 33 hits in 115 at-bats, 7 home runs, and 10 RBIs, along with a on-base percentage of .393, a slugging percentage of .557, and an OPS of .950, but he is not matching up to Suzuki. At least at this point, Suzuki, who has the potential for a numerical home run pace of 45, stands as the best hitter in Asia.

According to MLB.com, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, "Suzuki is a really strong player. His swing is also very beautiful," and noted, "Right now he is really full of confidence. When any hitter gets on a good roll and builds confidence, they make results when they get a good pitch to hit. Suzuki had a really good day, and his second home run was crucial."

Suzuki said, "Being with really strong players, I wanted to raise my game. I applied a lot to reach that level, and I can definitely say that I have become stronger than when I was in Japan."

Referred to as the 'Mike Trout of Japan' (Los Angeles Angels), right-handed outfielder Suzuki came to Major League Baseball (MLB) in March 2022, signing a 5-year, $85 million contract with the Cubs. His performance has increased slightly every year, recording 20 home runs in 2023 and 21 last year, achieving over 20 home runs for two consecutive years. He tied the record for the most home runs in a single season for an Asian right-handed hitter, set by Korean infielder Kang Jung-ho with 21 home runs in 2016.

This year, he is showing an explosive start with an incredible pace of 45 home runs. However, Suzuki remarked, "I am not a home run hitter. It would be a miracle if I hit two in one game. I won’t forget that point," indicating that he will not get too carried away.

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