Introduction to Seiya Suzuki’s All-Star Case

Background on the Cubs’ Season

On the day that Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong learned he’d been voted into the 2025 Midsummer Classic, the first-time All-Star had a frank evaluation of teammate Seiya Suzuki’s campaign.
“I don’t think there should be any question,” Crow-Armstrong said Wednesday night, “… Seiya Suzuki’s earned a spot on an All-Star team this year.”

The All-Star Selection Process

Full squads – with a total of 23 pitchers and reserves on each side – are set to be announced Sunday. The Cubs have at least two All-Stars, with Crow-Armstrong and right fielder Kyle Tucker selected to the starting lineup via the fan vote.
The teams for each league, which will face off at the Braves’ Truist Park in less than two weeks, are filled out with player ballot choices (eight pitchers and a backup for each position) and commissioner’s office selections (four pitchers and two position players).

Other Cubs Players Making Cases

The Cubs have a handful of players making cases for themselves. Catcher Carson Kelly was the team’s other finalist in the fan vote. Second baseman Nico Hoerner has the second-highest fWAR among NL second basemen. First baseman Michael Busch’s position group is stacked with star power, but he still has the second-highest wOBA.
Left-handed starter Matthew Boyd has a top-six ERA (2.65) among qualified NL pitchers. Of the NL relievers with at least 20 appearances this season, four Cubs pitchers entered Thursday among the top-10 in ERA: Drew Pomeranz (0.00), Chris Flexen (0.64), Daniel Palencia (1.74) and Brad Keller (1.86). Palencia is one of 12 NL pitchers with at least 10 saves.

Seiya Suzuki’s Impressive Season

Regardless of the constraints of the All-Star system, however, Suzuki is having one of the most impressive offensive seasons on the team.
“He’s one of the best hitters around the league,” Tucker said. “So, hopefully he can join us in Atlanta as well. But he’s been doing a phenomenal job all year.”
Suzuki entered Thursday with the fourth-highest slugging percentage in the NL among qualified hitters (.550). His career-high 23 home runs led the team. And he led the majors in RBI (73).

Suzuki’s Approach and Skillset

“I think driving in runs is a real skill,” Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly said Thursday in a conversation with the Sun-Times. “I know there’s a lot of talk about, ‘Well, you have to have players on base to be able to drive in runs.’ But those are also high-pressure situations. You’re getting the pitcher’s best stuff. The pitcher is trying to keep you out of the air, he’s trying to get you on the ground.”
Those situations, Kelly’s noticed, have naturally helped hone Suzuki’s intent in the batter’s box, along with the impact of watching four-time All-Star Kyle Tucker’s approach up close every day. Suzuki has most often hit third in the lineup, behind Ian Happ and Tucker, who both get on base at a high clip.

Suzuki’s Growth and Consistency

“The way that he’s looking to drive the baseball is different from years past,” Kelly said of Suzuki. “In years past, it was a little, ‘back the ball up a little deeper, think a little bit lower line drives, and use the whole part of the field.’ And he was really good at that. But the way that he fits in our lineup, the opportunities that he’s been in with runners in scoring position, that calls for him driving balls in the air.”
Dialing up the aggressiveness in his approach, and looking to do damage early in the count, has helped Suzuki snap out of slumps or extend hot streaks the last couple years. And his in-zone swing rate is at a career high this season (53.1%), according to Statcast.
With how hard Suzuki hits the ball – in the 92nd percentile in average exit velocity – even line drives have a good chance of carrying over the fence.

Conclusion

Seiya Suzuki’s impressive season, combined with his growth and consistency, make a strong case for his All-Star selection. As his teammates and coaches have noted, he is one of the best hitters in the league, and his skills and approach make him a valuable asset to the Cubs.

FAQs

Q: What is Seiya Suzuki’s current slugging percentage?
A: Suzuki entered Thursday with the fourth-highest slugging percentage in the NL among qualified hitters (.550).
Q: How many home runs has Suzuki hit this season?
A: Suzuki’s career-high 23 home runs led the team.
Q: What is Suzuki’s approach in the batter’s box?
A: Suzuki has been looking to drive the baseball, particularly in high-pressure situations with runners in scoring position, and has been dialing up the aggressiveness in his approach.
Q: What is Suzuki’s goal for the second half of the season?
A: Suzuki’s goal is to be more consistent and continue to drive in runs for the Cubs.