High-profile acquisition Seiya Suzuki made a positive impact for the Chicago Cubs in April, especially as a newcomer to the team’s batting lineup.
And as the second month of the Major League Baseball season got underway, Suzuki was recognized for it, being named the National League’s Rookie of the Month for April on Monday, May 2.
Suzuki belted four home runs and had 14 RBIs in April while batting .279 for the month.
He got a hit in two at-bats on Opening Day to give himself a .500 batting average. Suzuki’s batting average then peaked at .429 in the season’s opening month on April 18 (after his 10th game).
The former Hiroshima Carp star, who signed a five-year contract with the Cubs, has struggled of late, though. He snapped an 0-for-17 slump on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, stroking a run-scoring double in the sixth inning in Chicago’s 2-0 win.
Was the hit a turning point for the slumping Suzuki?
"I can't tell yet," Suzuki was quoted as saying by Kyodo News after the game. "I want to do what I can to have quality at-bats as soon as possible."
Earlier this season, Suzuki’s hot bat was one of the biggest stories in MLB. He was named NL Player of the Week on April 18.
Author: Ed Odeven
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