"He’s just unreliable defensively" - Cubs insider makes compelling case for Seiya Suzuki’s DH role despite impressive batting

The Chicago Cubs lost their series opener on Friday against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, 6-0, bringing their season record to 49-56. They’re in a tough spot at the bottom of the NL Central, 11 games behind division leader Milwaukee Brewers (59-44).

With their chance of making the Wild Card slimmer, they have been a highly scouted team ahead of the trade deadline on Tuesday at 6 pm. ET. Amid their struggles, Mick Gillispie and Anthony Pasquale discussed the case of Cubs' outfielder Seiya Suzuki in their YouTube channel “Chicago Cubs Baseball News.”

Despite Suzuki’s impressive play in Friday’s game where he went 2-for-3 with a walk, and was the only Cubs player to have multiple hits in the game, the hosts want him only as a designated hitter due to his poor defensive reliability.

“[3:16] He’s just unreliable defensively. It is what it is, you have heard that before, it’s not like this team really has any other options right today, you know. Defensively I’d say he’s below average, I think that’s a fair statement,” Gillispie said.

Suzuki has played 79 games this year, scoring 42 runs, with 47 RBIs, and 14 home runs. His stat line of .268/.338/.477 and an OPS of .815 is great offense for the Cubs, but the same can’t be said about his defense. In his 79 appearances, he has played 57 games in the outfield and 22 games as DH, and has committed three errors so far.

Cubs' Seiya Suzuki doesn’t want to make excuses for his defensive shortcomings

Despite winning the game against the Angels, ahead of the All-Star break earlier this month, Seiya Suzuki talked about his third error of the season which allowed Logan O’Hoppe to be on base. Although that didn’t change the game’s outcome, it was still frustrating for Suzuki.

“It’s a routine play that should be made and should have been made,” Suzuki said through former interpreter Toy Matsushita, per Chicago Tribune. “And so it’s just trying to improve on the next one.”

Despite his defensive shortcomings, Suzuki refused to make any excuses.

“As hard as it is, there’s a bunch of players that play out there in right field, and so whatever I say is going to be taken as an excuse,” Suzuki said, per Chicago Tribune.

“So I think it’s just practicing and making sure I make those routine plays in right field, and that’s building my confidence. But as a guy who gets out there on defense every single day, I just want to make it easier for the guy on the mound.”

Whether he’ll be assigned as a DH for his regular role or continue to be on the outfield remains to be seen.