Athletics Catcher Kurt Suzuki is Pride of Hawaii
The Defensive Standout Has Turned Into Top Offensive Producer
Oakland Athletics' catcher Kurt Suzuki didn't disappoint him on the latest trip. He batted cleanup in a September game against the Cleveland Indians and hit a three-run home run to help the A's beat the Indians, 5-2.
Calling the Shots From Behind the Plate
"I pride myself on defense and that's what I've focused on since day one," Suzuki said. "When I can help the pitching staff, that's doing my job. That is the main goal."
In five games as a clean-up hitter this season, Suzuki has produced a .667 slugging percentage, with a pair of doubles and a pair of home runs among his eight hits. He's also driven in eight runs.
Suzuki has driven in 21 runs over his last 17 games despite hitting .219 over that span. He leads the A's with 78 RBIs and is trying to become the first catcher to lead the team in the category since Frankie Hayes had 78 in 1944.
Making Contact
"I don't like to strike out," Suzuki said. "I hate it. I want to put the ball in play and make the defense work. Realistically you get tired as the season wears on. I don't try to add any pressure on myself, and I can't look at batting average."
Suzuki has been more productive despite a lower batting average this year. He recorded 81 RBIs in his first two seasons combined. He led the A's in batting average last year at .279, but drove in 42 runs.
He's struck out 52 times in 520 official at bats, or about 15 percent of the time. He's also walked less this year.
Suzuki's power numbers are also up, with 13 home runs (as compared to 14 total over his previous two years) and he's stolen a career-high seven bases.
"It's all about production," Suzuki said. "You see great hitters who aren't very good hitting for average but they drive in a lot of runs."
Playing the Numbers (Stats) Game
Suzuki will likely find a middle ground, depending on how he is used in the A's batting order. He tends to slip into the role asked of him. He's hit in every spot of the order and has higher averages at the top.
"He doesn't strike out and puts the ball in play, A's manager Bob Geren said. "That's how he picks up the RBIs. He's making productive outs with a runner on third base."
Suzuki's batting varies from month to month, from .343 in April to .208 in September. He drives in runs at a steady pace: 8 in April, followed by 9, 14, 16, 16, and 15 in the ensuing months this year.
Put a runner on third and his average jumps to .368. He hits .289 with runners in scoring position (and .247 with the bases empty).
Born in Wailuku, and a graduate of H.P. Baldwin High School, Suzuki turns 26 in October. He attended Cal State Fullerton, where he earned the Johnny Bench Award as the best college in the nation. He also drove in the game-winner in the 2004 College World Series Championship game against Texas.
Supporting His College Teammate
Suzuki and his wife, Renee, raised funds through an on-line auction Jon Wilhite Recovery Fund.
Wilhite was the lone survivor of the April 9, 2009 car crash that killed Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart, Henry Pearson and Courtney Stewart.
Suzuki and Wilhite were teammates and both catchers in 2004 at Cal State University at Fullerton.
Kurt Suzuki chats with CSUF coach Dave Serrano
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