Chicago Cubs 'Golden Batter' Would Be Designated Hitter Seiya Suzuki

The Chicago Cubs have a clear choice for who their "Golden Batter" would be in designated hitter Seiya Suzuki.

Sep 28, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (27) hits a single against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images / Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs would not have much deliberating to do if MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred came out today and said, "We are instituting the 'Golden Batter' rule for the 2025 season."

It is something that the owners have discussed of late, albeit not to implement as soon as 2025, and it would change the entire landscape of Major League Baseball.

For those unaware, the "Golden Batter" or "Golden At-Bat" rule would allow a team to let any player on their roster hit at any time once a game, even if they are already in the lineup and it is not their turn to do so.

Think back to the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where the final out of the whole shebang came down to (then) teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. It could be that situation but on a per-game basis.

For the Orioles, their "Mike Trout" in that scenario would be none other than their veteran designated hitter, Seiya Suzuki.

For his career, Suzuki has batted .278/.354/.470 with 55 home runs, 193 RBI, and a 128 OPS+ across 1,614 plate appearances in 381 games.

A runner on third with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game and at the bottom of the lineup? Nah, here comes Suzuki instead of Miguel Amaya.

The "Golden Batter" is a concept that the Savannah Bananas instituted into their exhibition games, along with all of the other wacky rules they have. The batter is out if a fan in the stands catches a foul ball. If there is a base on balls, the batter must sprint to first base and advance as far as they can while the defense throws the ball around to each fielder before they can attempt to make the out—exhibition/sports entertainment type things.

Manfred did clarify that the concept is only in the very early stages of discussion among himself and the owners. Even with how much baseball has changed during Manfred's tenure as commissioner, this may be a step too far.

Regardless of whether this does come to be or not, it is still a fun discussion and an interesting exercise to think of who the "Golden Batter" would be for each team.

For Chicago, it would not take too much time to think before coming to the foregone conclusion of Seiya Suzuki.