Seiya Suzuki: Stats, Contract, Parents, Wife, Position and Jersey

Seiya Suzuki has established himself as one of the most productive Japanese hitters in Major League Baseball. The Chicago Cubs outfielder arrived in MLB after a decorated career with the Hiroshima Carp and has developed into a key middle-of-the-order bat.

As of September 1, 2026, Suzuki is in his fifth and final season of his original Cubs contract. His combination of power, plate discipline and right-field defense has made him an important part of Chicago’s lineup.

Here is everything to know about Seiya Suzuki, including his stats, contract, parents, wife, position and jersey number.

Seiya Suzuki Quick Facts

MLB lists Suzuki as a 5-foot-11, 182-pound right-handed hitter and right fielder for the Cubs.

Seiya Suzuki Stats

Suzuki has enjoyed another strong offensive campaign in 2026.

According to MLB’s current statistics, he has 456 at-bats, a .274 batting average, 23 home runs, 79 RBIs, three stolen bases and an .853 OPS.

His career MLB numbers are also impressive. Through the latest available statistics, Suzuki has recorded a .270 batting average, 110 home runs, 375 RBIs and a .825 OPS.

Baseball Savant similarly shows Suzuki producing an .857 OPS in 2026, highlighting his continued offensive value.

Suzuki’s MLB Stats

His 2025 season was particularly notable. Suzuki hit 32 home runs and drove in 103 runs, setting career highs in both categories. MLB noted that he became only the third Japanese-born player to reach 30 home runs in a season and the third Japanese-born player to record a 100-RBI season.

Seiya Suzuki Contract

Suzuki signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in March 2022. The agreement runs through the 2026 season.

The contract carried an average annual value of approximately $17 million.

The reported salary structure was:

• 2022: $7 million plus $5 million signing bonus
• 2023: $17 million
• 2024: $20 million
• 2025: $18 million
• 2026: $18 million

The contract also included a full no-trade clause.

The Cubs additionally owed a posting fee of $14.625 million to Hiroshima, bringing the overall financial commitment connected to the move to nearly $100 million.

Because the contract expires after 2026, Suzuki’s future MLB status will be an important storyline as the season progresses.

What Is Seiya Suzuki’s Position?

Suzuki primarily plays right field.

He can also serve as a designated hitter, giving the Cubs flexibility with their lineup. Baseball-Reference lists him at both right field and designated hitter.

Suzuki’s athletic background is one reason he has been able to handle the defensive demands of the outfield. Interestingly, he was primarily a pitcher during his high-school years before being drafted as an infielder by Hiroshima and eventually converting to the outfield.

What Jersey Number Does Seiya Suzuki Wear?

Seiya Suzuki wears No. 27 for the Chicago Cubs.

The number has become closely associated with Suzuki during his MLB career. He originally wore No. 27 after joining Chicago, although the number was temporarily changed during the 2026 season before he returned to No. 27. MLB’s transaction history records the changes in April 2026.

Suzuki has also explained that he admired Mike Trout while growing up, and his No. 27 jersey was part of the connection he made with the Cubs when he arrived in MLB.

Seiya Suzuki Wife

Seiya Suzuki is married to Airi Hatakeyama, a former Japanese rhythmic gymnast and sports personality.

Hatakeyama represented Japan in rhythmic gymnastics and later worked in television and sports media. The couple married in 2019. Japanese reports identify Hatakeyama as Suzuki’s wife.

The couple has largely kept their private family life away from the spotlight while Suzuki has focused on his MLB career.

Who Are Seiya Suzuki’s Parents?

Suzuki was born and raised in Arakawa, Tokyo.

Japanese reports identify his father as Muneto Suzuki and his mother as Kimie Suzuki. He also has a younger sister, making the family a four-person household during his upbringing.

His family played an important role in his development, particularly during his youth baseball years.

Suzuki’s journey from Tokyo youth baseball to NPB and eventually MLB reflects the significant influence of Japanese baseball development on his career.

Seiya Suzuki’s Career Before MLB

Before joining the Cubs, Suzuki spent nine seasons with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

He was selected by Hiroshima in the second round of the 2012 NPB Draft. Over 902 games, he hit .315 with 182 doubles, 182 home runs, 562 RBIs and a .984 OPS.

Suzuki won two Central League batting titles. He hit .335 in 2019 and .317 in 2021. His 2021 season also featured 38 home runs, 88 RBIs and a 1.073 OPS.

He was also a five-time NPB All-Star, five-time Central League Gold Glove winner and six-time Best Nine Award recipient.

Seiya Suzuki’s MLB Journey

The Cubs signed Suzuki in 2022 after he became one of Japan’s most sought-after free agents.

Chicago believed his combination of power and hitting ability could translate to MLB. The organization ultimately gave him the five-year contract that brought him to the North Side.

Suzuki made his MLB debut on April 7, 2022, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

He quickly made an impact, earning National League Rookie of the Month honors for April 2022 and an NL Player of the Week award during his first month in the majors.

Suzuki’s 2026 Season

The 2026 season has continued Suzuki’s development into a reliable offensive contributor.

His current .274 batting average, 23 homers, 79 RBIs and .853 OPS show that he remains one of Chicago’s most dangerous hitters.

He has also recently been in excellent form. In a six-game stretch entering September, Suzuki hit .346 with four doubles, one home run and seven runs scored. His .853 OPS for the season is currently a career best according to the latest MLB numbers.

That production has helped keep Suzuki firmly in the Cubs’ offensive plans as Chicago pushes toward the postseason.

Why Is Seiya Suzuki Important to the Cubs?

Suzuki offers the Cubs several valuable qualities.

First, he provides power. His 32 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2025 demonstrated his ability to produce big numbers over a full season.

Second, he gets on base. Suzuki has consistently posted solid on-base numbers throughout his MLB career.

Third, he brings international experience. Before reaching MLB, he spent nearly a decade competing at a high level in Japan and represented Team Japan internationally.

Finally, he provides lineup flexibility. His ability to play right field and serve as a designated hitter gives Chicago additional options.

Final Thoughts

Seiya Suzuki has evolved from a Japanese baseball star into an established MLB hitter with the Chicago Cubs. His .270 career batting average, 110 home runs and .825 OPS demonstrate the impact he has made since arriving in Chicago.

The 2026 season is especially important because it represents the final year of his original five-year, $85 million Cubs contract.

With his current production, No. 27 remains an important part of the Cubs lineup, while his future contract situation could become one of the team’s biggest offseason storylines.

FAQs About Seiya Suzuki

What position does Seiya Suzuki play?

Seiya Suzuki primarily plays right field and can also serve as a designated hitter.

What is Seiya Suzuki’s jersey number?

Suzuki currently wears No. 27 for the Chicago Cubs.

How much is Seiya Suzuki’s contract worth?

Suzuki signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the Cubs in 2022.

Who is Seiya Suzuki’s wife?

Seiya Suzuki is married to Airi Hatakeyama, a former Japanese rhythmic gymnast and sports personality.

What are Seiya Suzuki’s 2026 stats?

As of the latest MLB statistics, Suzuki has a .274 average, 23 home runs, 79 RBIs and an .853 OPS in 2026.

Where was Seiya Suzuki born?

Suzuki was born in Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan, on August 18, 1994.

Is Seiya Suzuki a free agent after 2026?

Yes. His five-year Cubs contract runs through the 2026 season, making his future with Chicago a major question heading into the next offseason.