MESA, Ariz. — Ichiro Suzuki is a sinewy 5 feet 11 inches and 170 pounds, while Mike Trout is a stout 6-2, 235. They represent wildly different body types and playing styles, but their unique abilities converged in influencing the career path of Seiya Suzuki.
After just two weeks with the Chicago Cubs, though, Suzuki is doing a lot to create his own identity.
On opening day, the outfielder was thrown into the fire against Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers — the National League’s reigning Cy Young Award winner — and he produced a single and a walk, which is no small feat against a pitcher known for his pinpoint control.