While playing in Japan, Shogo Akiyama was never considered a power hitter. In the three years prior to signing with the Cincinnati Reds he hit 25, 24, and 20 home runs while playing in 143 games in each season. He wasn’t a slap hitter – there was some pop in his game – he slugged over .500 in two of those seasons and .471 in 2019 for Seibu. But in his Major League debut he struggled to hit, and to hit for power. In his 54 games played he hit just .245/.357/.297 and went homerless.
During the season Shogo Akiyama put the ball in play 121 times.