Daichi Suzuki (baseball)

1.1. Youth and High School

Daichi Suzuki was born on August 18, 1989, in Oyama Town, Sunto District, Shizuoka Prefecture. He started playing baseball in elementary school, joining the Kitagō Fighters. In junior high, he played for Shizuoka Susono Senior. Initially an outfielder, he transitioned to shortstop in his second year and participated in national tournaments. An invitation to practice with the baseball team at Toin Gakuen High School in Kanagawa Prefecture led him to enroll there.

At Toin Gakuen High, Suzuki made the varsity team in his first year during the summer National High School Baseball Championship Kanagawa Tournament. He became the regular shortstop in the autumn of his second year. However, he did not participate in the Koshien Tournament (spring or summer) during his high school career. His classmates included Yoshimasa Shinozuka, son of former professional baseball player Kazunori Shinozuka, who played for Honda's corporate team, and Masanori Iryo, who later played for the Chunichi Dragons.

1.2. University Career

After graduating high school, Suzuki enrolled in the Department of Business Administration at the Faculty of Business Administration at Toyo University. He began playing in the Tohto University Baseball League in the spring of his freshman year. Recognized for his wide defensive range and strong arm, he became a regular third baseman in the autumn league season. In 2010, during his third year, he was appointed both the cleanup hitter (4th in the batting order) and vice-captain, a first for a junior in the club's history. That spring, he recorded a batting average of .340, earning Best Nine selections for both spring and autumn seasons.

In his fourth year, Suzuki served as team captain and transitioned back to shortstop, again earning Best Nine selections for both spring and autumn as a shortstop. During his university career, he won five league championships and four national titles. He finished his league career with a batting average of .288 (85 hits in 301 at-bats), 3 home runs, and 29 RBIs. In 2011, he was recognized by the Japan Student Baseball Association. His classmates at Toyo University included Takahiro Fujioka, who served as vice-captain under Suzuki in their fourth year, and Yuya Oda.

Suzuki's international experience included being a preliminary candidate for the Japan national team for the 2010 Asian Games in spring of his third year. In the summer, he was selected for the Japan national baseball team at the 5th World University Baseball Championship, where he wore jersey number 5 and contributed significantly to the team's bronze medal as the leadoff or third-place hitter and third baseman. In July of his fourth year, he also participated in the 38th Japan-US University Baseball Championship in the United States, playing as a shortstop and third baseman for the Japanese team.

On October 27, 2011, in the NPB Draft, Suzuki was selected in the third round by the Chiba Lotte Marines, the same team that selected Fujioka as their first-round pick. He signed with the Marines for an estimated 70.00 M JPY signing bonus and an annual salary of 13.00 M JPY. At his signing press conference, he expressed his goal of staying with the first team for the entire year. Scout Tokuhito Yamashita highly evaluated Suzuki as a potential replacement for Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who had left the team in 2010, giving him the "post-Nishioka" evaluation. Suzuki was assigned jersey number 35.

2.1. Chiba Lotte Marines (2012-2019)

Suzuki began his professional career with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2012. He was selected for the first team's spring training, but his participation was cut short after three days due to influenza. He made his official first team debut on June 2, 2012, as a pinch runner in the eighth inning against the Chunichi Dragons at QVC Marine Field. His first professional hit came on June 11, a double off the right field fence in the ninth inning against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome. In his rookie season, he appeared in 62 games, batting .274 without a home run.

In 2013, Suzuki recorded three consecutive RBI triples from April 18 to 20, tying a Pacific League record. This "three-streak" achievement was celebrated at QVC Marine Field with special menu items like "Daichi's Bounty Miso Ramen" and "Daichi Cocktail". He started 26 games at second base with no errors, solidifying his position as the regular shortstop from April 25. On May 28, he hit a go-ahead RBI triple to support his university teammate Takahiro Fujioka (who was pitching in relief for the first time as a professional), contributing to the team's comeback victory. His strong performance, including a batting average above .300 through the interleague play, earned him his first All-Star Game selection as a manager's recommendation for the Pacific League. In Game 2 on July 20, he started as the ninth batter and second baseman, hitting his first All-Star Game hit with a double off Yasuhiro Ogawa. On August 22, he hit a grand slam against Atsushi Okamoto of the Saitama Seibu Lions, making it the fifth time in NPB history that two grand slams were hit in one inning by the same team (following Tadahito Iguchi's grand slam). He was also used as the cleanup hitter for the first time on September 6. Suzuki played in all 144 regular season games, the only player on the team to do so, and tied a club record with 11 triples. He led all shortstops in the Pacific League with a .983 fielding percentage, earning him his first Best Nine Award as a shortstop. Following the season, he changed his jersey number to 7, which had been vacant since Tsuyoshi Nishioka's departure, and announced his marriage.

In 2014, in his third professional season, Suzuki was appointed team captain by manager Tsutomu Ito. Due to the presence of new foreign player Luis Cruz, who mainly played shortstop, Suzuki's starts at second base increased. Despite a slower start offensively, he improved in June, recording three consecutive multi-hit games, tying a club record. He was the only player from his team selected for the 2014 All-Star Game via manager's recommendation. In the second half of the season, he was permanently assigned to shortstop (with Cruz moving to second base) and occasionally batted third. He played in all games for the second consecutive year and achieved a career-high batting average of .287.

In 2015, Suzuki primarily played shortstop, batting second (55 games) or seventh (61 games). His batting average dropped to .263, but he hit a career-high 6 home runs.

In 2016, Suzuki started the season strong at the plate, maintaining a batting average above .300 until August 9. He mainly batted sixth (71 games) or seventh (53 games), and occasionally fifth (11 games) due to Amauri Navarro's slump. He started in all regular season games, finishing with a .285 batting average. He made his third All-Star Game appearance and received his second Best Nine Award as a shortstop. Despite his strong performance, he also started nine games at third base and two games at second base, partially due to the team's desire to integrate rookie Taiga Hirasawa. On December 27, he signed a contract worth 100.00 M JPY, becoming a "100.00 M JPY player" in his fifth year after college graduation.

In 2017, on January 31, the day before spring training, manager Ito directly informed Suzuki of his conversion to second base. Throughout the season, he often batted in the middle of the lineup, even being assigned as the cleanup hitter temporarily, providing a much-needed offensive boost to a struggling team. The conversion was intended to reduce his defensive burden and improve his batting, and it initially led to his batting average reaching above .300. Although his average dropped to a career-low .260 by the end of the season, he hit double-digit home runs for the first time in his career. On September 24, in Iguchi's retirement game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Suzuki hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning, securing a 3-3 tie and honoring Iguchi's farewell. He also led the league in hit-by-pitches and recorded a career-high OPS. Defensively, in his first year at second base, he won his first Golden Glove Award for the position.

In 2018, Suzuki transitioned to third base, switching positions with Shogo Nakamura, who had emerged as a third baseman the previous year. This was an unusual move for a regular infielder, undergoing a position change for the second consecutive year, as new manager Tadahito Iguchi prioritized improving the infield defense after the team finished last in the Pacific League the previous year. However, Suzuki struggled defensively at third base, recording 10 errors, double the number from his previous year at second base. Despite playing all 143 games alongside rookie Yudai Fujioka, he was often replaced by a defensive substitute at third in late innings. Offensively, his batting average slightly improved to .266, but he only hit 8 home runs and recorded 49 RBIs. The captain system was abolished that year, but after the season, Suzuki took over as the players' association chairman from Katsuya Kakunaka.

In 2019, manager Iguchi initially planned to appoint second-year high school graduate Hisanori Yasuda as the regular third baseman. Suzuki competed for the starting third base position with Yasuda and newly acquired Brandon Laird during spring training. Ultimately, Laird, with his superior power, started at third base, leading Suzuki to miss opening day despite being on the first team roster. However, due to Haruya Inoue's hitting slump, Suzuki was inserted as the starting first baseman from the second series of the season. On May 17, against the Rakuten Eagles at ZOZO Marine Stadium, he hit his second career grand slam in the seventh inning, his first in about six years. On May 29, against the Nippon-Ham Fighters at Sapporo Dome, he started as the second batter and left fielder, marking his first experience playing in the outfield in a game since his second year of junior high school in 2003.

During the subsequent interleague play, Suzuki played all 18 games, moving between various infield and outfield positions. He led all NPB players with 28 hits and 54 total bases, and among the 70 players who qualified for plate appearances, he recorded the highest slugging percentage (.711) and the second-highest batting average (.368). For his outstanding performance, he received the Pacific League's Nippon Life Award. In June, he hit a walk-off single on June 1 against the Seibu Lions and another walk-off single on June 16 against the Chunichi Dragons, making it his third walk-off hit of the season-a feat not achieved by a Marines player in 55 years. His exceptional performance in June also earned him his first Monthly MVP award as a batter in the Pacific League. He was also selected as a manager's recommendation for the 2019 All-Star Game. Overall, in the 2019 season, he played in 140 first team games, appearing at first base (89 games), third base (40 games), outfield (9 games), second base (9 games), and shortstop (4 games). He reached the league's final qualified plate appearances, finishing with a .288 batting average (8th in the league), 15 home runs, and 68 RBIs.

Having met the requirements for domestic free agency during the 2019 season, Suzuki declared his intention to exercise his rights after the season. On November 2, he was officially listed as a free agent by NPB. Although the Marines allowed players who declared free agency to remain with the team, Suzuki received offers from the Rakuten Eagles and the Yomiuri Giants after his declaration.

2.2. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2020-present)

On November 18, 2019, it was announced that Daichi Suzuki would join the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. The signing was officially publicized by NPB on November 27. His contract with Rakuten was for four years, with an estimated total salary of 700.00 M JPY. He retained his jersey number 7, the same as his previous team. As a result of Suzuki's transfer, Ryosuke Tatsumi, who had joined Rakuten earlier that year with jersey number 7, changed his number to 8. Additionally, due to NPB free agency regulations, Rakuten was obligated to compensate the Marines, and as human compensation, pitcher Ikumi Ono was transferred to the Marines.

In 2020, in the opening game against the Orix Buffaloes on June 19, Suzuki hit a game-winning two-run RBI single in the eighth inning, marking his first hit with his new team and his 1000th career hit. On June 30, in his first game against his former team, the Marines, at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, he hit his first home run with Rakuten-a three-run homer. In August, he set a new Rakuten club record with 41 hits in a single month. Despite the season being shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he played in all 120 games and achieved a career-high batting average of .295. He played 88 games at third base, committing only 4 errors, and recorded a league-best .978 fielding percentage for the position. He was selected for his first Best Nine Award and Golden Glove Award as a third baseman, becoming the 10th player in the Pacific League to win a Golden Glove Award at multiple positions.

In 2021, Suzuki was the only player on his team to start in all 143 games, primarily as the second batter and first baseman. In the latter half of the season, he increasingly batted fifth. Defensively, as a first baseman, he recorded league-leading numbers in games played, putouts, and assists.

In 2022, Suzuki experienced a slow start offensively and was removed from the starting lineup for the first time since joining Rakuten on April 17 against the SoftBank Hawks. He ultimately reached the qualified plate appearances and achieved his 10th consecutive season with 100 hits on September 24 against the Orix Buffaloes. He finished the season with 125 games played, a .257 batting average, 5 home runs, and 35 RBIs. In contract negotiations on December 1, the final year of his four-year contract, he maintained his estimated annual salary of 200.00 M JPY.

In 2023, Suzuki missed opening day for the first time since joining Rakuten but was promoted to the first team on April 14 and remained there for the rest of the season. He appeared more frequently as a pinch hitter, where he performed well, batting .343 with 1 home run and 5 RBIs. On September 5, he acquired overseas free agency rights. He participated in 101 games, batting .244 with 5 home runs and 27 RBIs. In contract negotiations on December 16, he signed a one-year contract for 140.00 M JPY, a decrease of 60.00 M JPY.

In 2024, Suzuki made the opening day roster for the first time in two years. On April 7, against the SoftBank Hawks, he hit a walk-off single, his first with Rakuten. On June 4, in a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, he recorded his 1500th career hit in his first at-bat, becoming the 137th player in NPB history to reach this milestone. On June 16, in the final interleague game against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, he hit a home run, completing the achievement of hitting a home run against all 12 NPB teams, a feat accomplished by only 46 players in history. He was later selected for the 2024 All-Star Game as a replacement player, marking his fifth All-Star selection.

3.1. Batting

Suzuki's batting is characterized by a compact swing and excellent bat control, enabling him to hit for contact. Prior to being drafted, scouts predicted he could achieve a .300 batting average in the professional league. He is known for his ability to capitalize on missed pitches and is also a skilled bunter.

According to a 2018 baseball magazine analysis by Hiroshi Shibahara, Suzuki's batting form is efficient, starting with his weight on his pivot foot, which eliminates unnecessary movements. However, Shibahara also noted a tendency for his right hip to rise during his stride, likening it to a "two-motion" delivery from a pitcher, which was identified as a minor flaw.

Suzuki stands very close to the plate, often near the line of the batter's box, making him prone to being hit by pitches. As of the end of the 2023 season, he had accumulated 122 hit-by-pitches in his career, tied for 12th all-time.

3.2. Baserunning and Fielding

While not known for exceptional speed (he claims his 50-meter dash time is 6.2 s and that he is "slow"), Suzuki is a reliable and stable defensive player. Although his fielding range is considered narrow for an infielder, he possesses a strong arm, and his throws to first base are generally accurate, regardless of which infield position he plays (excluding first base itself).

In 2013, when he was first selected for the Pacific League's Best Nine, he maintained a low error count of 9 as a shortstop. However, his Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), a metric that accounts for defensive range, has generally been low. For example, in 2013, Data Stadium calculated his UZR at -6.9, second-worst among shortstops with over 400 innings, and DELTA calculated it at -11.9. This trend of lower UZR scores has been consistent in subsequent seasons.

Suzuki is highly versatile, capable of playing multiple infield positions. Although his primary positions are shortstop and third base, he has demonstrated proficiency at second base, even winning a Golden Glove Award in 2017 in his first year playing the position full-time. During his junior high school days, he also had experience playing catcher and outfielder. In 2019, he was utilized at first base, as a designated hitter, and even in left field due to team circumstances. Suzuki has expressed aspirations to become a utility player like Takuya Kimura, who played every position except pitcher in NPB.

3.3. Other Attributes

Suzuki has a distinctive routine when stepping into the batter's box, where he bows his upper body approximately 45 degrees towards the umpire. He considers this a personal routine. After being drafted, at a press conference held at Toyo University's Hakusan Campus, Suzuki stated his commitment to "running at full strength on the field and practicing with a loud voice, two things I will not lose to anyone."

4.1. Background and Name Origin

Suzuki's given name, "Daichi," was chosen in honor of Daichi Suzuki, the Olympic swimmer who won a gold medal in the 100m backstroke at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and later became the first commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency. While he admits feeling embarrassed when called "Suzuki Daichi" at hospitals as a child, he now appreciates that his name is easy for others to remember.

4.2. Anecdotes and Relationships

Suzuki recalls a particularly memorable moment from his childhood playing for Shizuoka Susono Senior. Soon after converting to shortstop, he made errors in a game that led to the team's defeat. The coach's words, "You are the worst shortstop in history," made him cry and remained a vivid memory even after he turned professional.

During his time with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Suzuki formed a close bond with his fellow 2011 draft class teammates: Takahiro Fujioka, Yuhei Nakagoh, and Naoya Masuda, all of whom were the same age. Suzuki was considered the most responsible among them. During their rookie camp, they made a pact that the first person to leave their room in the morning would ring the doorbells of the other three to wake them up, a task Suzuki often performed. He has expressed deep gratitude to Fujioka, stating that Fujioka's success as an ace at Toyo University drew significant attention to the university, which in turn brought Suzuki to the attention of scouts. He believes he might not have become a professional baseball player without Fujioka.

Suzuki's jersey number 7 with the Marines, worn from 2014, had previously belonged to Tsuyoshi Nishioka until 2010 and remained vacant for three years. At a fan event in December 2013, Suzuki shared that a fan at a previous event had told him he "wouldn't be forgiven" if he didn't perform better than Nishioka, highlighting the immense influence associated with the number.

In 2013, Suzuki won the "Crepe & Waffle Produce Championship" at the Tobu Department Store Funabashi branch, an annual event where players design menu items. His "Daichi's Loaded Waffle" received the most orders, and he was presented with a trophy resembling his waffle at an award ceremony.

4.3. Media Appearances

Outside of baseball, Suzuki made a voice acting appearance in the Japanese dub of the animated film Incredibles 2, released in August 2018.

4.4. Walk-up Song

Since 2012, Daichi Suzuki's walk-up song when batting for home games has been "Kokuhaku" by the Japanese hip-hop group FUNKY MONKEY BABYS. He met Funky Kato, a former member of the group, in 2015.

5.1. Awards and Honors

• Best Nine Award: 3 times
  • Shortstop: 2013, 2016
  • Third Baseman: 2020
  • (In 2013, he was among the first players born in the Heisei era to receive the award, alongside Sho Nakata and Hideto Asamura).
• Golden Glove Award: 2 times
  • Second Baseman: 2017
  • Third Baseman: 2020
• Monthly MVP: 1 time (Hitter: June 2019)
• Skapa! Dramatic Sayonara Award Annual Grand Prize: 1 time (2019)
• Monthly Sayonara Award: 1 time (June 2019)
• Interleague Play Nippon Life Award: 1 time (2019)
• All-Star Game Fighting Spirit Award: 1 time (2017, Game 2)
• Japan Student Baseball Association Award: 2011 (University Division)

5.2. Milestones and Records

5.3. Career Statistics

• Statistics current as of the end of the 2024 season.
• Bold indicates league leader in that category for the respective year.

5.4. Defensive Statistics

; Infield Defense

; Outfield Defense

• Statistics current as of the end of the 2024 season.
• Bold indicates league leader in that category for the respective year.
• Bold year indicates Golden Glove Award winning year.

5.5. Jersey Numbers

• 35 (2012-2013)
• 7 (2014-present)

Category:Japanese baseball infielders
Category:Toyo University alumni