Seiya Suzuki's Elite Baseball Covering Skills for the Chicago Cubs

The Art of the Suzuki Cover

In baseball, the cover on a baseball refers to the leather casing that surrounds the ball's cork and rubber core. It plays an integral role in how the ball moves and performs. For Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, the art of covering the baseball with his glove has become an expertise that highlights his elite defensive skills.

The Anatomy of a Baseball Cover

The cover of an official MLB baseball consists of two figure-eight shaped pieces of leather stitched together with 108 red cotton stitches. The leather itself comes from cowhides - typically steer hides sourced from Midwest cattle farms. It is a complex process to cut, trim, lace, and secure the two leather covers into a perfect sphere shape. Small variations in the cover's thickness and tightness can impact the ball's flight and movement.

The Challenge of Covering a Baseball

For outfielders like Suzuki, covering a baseball refers to catching a fly ball or line drive in his glove. This is an immense challenge at the MLB level. Baseballs off the bat can reach speeds over 110 mph and carry well over 400 feet. Tracking the trajectory, running to the right location, timing the jump, and securely catching the ball requires tremendous athleticism, focus, and technical skills.

The margin for error is minuscule. Just a fraction of a second or inch can mean the difference between a spectacular catch and the ball clanging off the glove for a hit. Outfielders must constantly adjust and reposition their glove to account for the ball's movement and flight path.

Suzuki's Excellence at Covering

In his first MLB season, Seiya Suzuki has proven himself to be an elite defensive outfielder and especially adept at covering fly balls. His instincts for reading the ball off the bat allow him to get quick jumps on the ball. His speed in the outfield enables him to cover vast ground and run down balls in the gaps. His footwork, angles, and technique on catches highlights a mastery of fundamentals.

Suzuki combines his athletic gifts with razor sharp focus and concentration. He does not take plays off in the outfield. On every pitch, he is prepared and in position to cover any ball that comes his direction. Even on difficult plays requiring perfect timing and positioning, Suzuki frequently makes the extraordinary look routine.

Notable Suzuki Catches

In the Cubs first month of games, Suzuki made catch after catch that left fans marveling at his covering skills. Against the Brewers, he robbed Andrew McCutchen of extra bases by running down a blast to the left center gap before slamming into the wall. Against the Rays, he ended an inning by sprawling out for a diving grab on the warning track. And against the Red Sox, he took away a hit from Alex Verdugo with a leaping catch while sprinting straight back to the wall.

The degree of difficulty on Suzuki's catches has been remarkably high. He tracks balls over either shoulder, often necessitating full sprints to reach the location in time. He lays out for terrifying collisions with unpadded walls. And he sacrifices his body diving across grass and dirt. While covering balls, Suzuki displays no fear or hesitation.

Work Ethic and Baseball IQ

Suzuki's prowess at covering comes from innate athletic gifts and extensive work mastering the nuances of outfield play. His conditioning, agility drills, and study of hitter tendencies help him get jumps on balls. His practice on footwork, angles, communication, and catching technique translate in games. He also has an exceptionally high baseball IQ, reading situations, anticipating outcomes, and positioning himself optimally.

Seiya Suzuki's commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional work ethic elevate every aspect of his game. He strives to be a complete five-tool player. His performance in covering fly balls and converting them into outs has already proven elite.

Impact on Cubs Pitching Staff

The ability of Suzuki and his fellow outfielders to consistently cover batted balls provides huge confidence to Cubs pitchers. They know that softly hit flyballs and even balls scorched into the gaps have a strong chance of being run down rather than falling for hits. This gives pitchers freedom to attack the strike zone without fearing cheap hits and high pitch counts.

With Suzuki patrolling right field, Cubs pitchers can trust their outfield defense. They appreciate that Suzuki takes away potential extra-base hits and limits opponent rallies. His covering skills directly translate into run prevention and help keep games within reach for the offense.

The Future

Seiya Suzuki remains early in his MLB career, but has already proven himself an elite outfielder and expert at covering fly balls. His athleticism, instincts, work ethic, and concentration make extraordinary plays look routine. Suzuki takes away hits from opponents while boosting the confidence of Cubs pitchers.

If Suzuki continues progressing, he has a chance to win Gold Gloves and establish himself among the best defensive outfielders in the game. For now, Cubs fans can delight in the art of Suzuki's covering and the dazzling highlights he provides in the outfield at Wrigley Field.

FAQs

What makes Seiya Suzuki so good at covering fly balls?

Suzuki has a combination of elite athleticism, instincts, technique, and work ethic that enables him to excel at covering. His speed, jumps, footwork, and fundamentals allow him to track down balls other outfielders can't reach.

How has Suzuki impacted the Cubs pitching staff?

Suzuki's covering skills give Cubs pitchers confidence to attack the zone without fearing cheap hits. They trust him to catch flyballs and limit extra-base hits.

What are some of Suzuki's best catches so far?

Notable catches include robbing a home run in Milwaukee, making a diving grab on the warning track against Tampa Bay, and leaping at the wall to take away a hit against Boston.

How does Suzuki prepare for covering balls?

Through conditioning, agility drills, studying hitters, and extensive repetitions practicing footwork, angles, communication and catching technique.

What makes covering fly balls so challenging?

Balls off the bat reach 110+ mph and fly 400+ feet. Outfielders must perfectly time their jumps, run efficient routes, and withstand collisions with walls and the ground.