Ichiro

## About

**Ichiro Suzuki** is an MVP outfielder who played in MLB from 2001 to 2019, mostly with the Seattle Mariners. He also spend 9 seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League of Japan.

## Scouting Reports

### Backyard Baseball 2003

Ichiro

Ichiro is well know for his defensive abilities, often regarded as one of the best fielders in the game. He has incredible speed, at 97/100, and a fantastic throwing arm, with 95 strength and 97 accuracy. Ichiro's bat is more skewed towards contact, with 60 power and 85 contact, but weak hits often allow him to get on base because of his great speed.

## League History

### BBL

#### Season 3

Ichiro was not available until Season 3, as the first two season were played in *Backyard Baseball 2001.* He was drafted 4th overall by coach Ellman of the Brewers. He was an offensive juggernaut, leading the Brewers in batting average, steals, home runs, and runs scored. Ichiro's best game came in Week 7, when he batted 9/10, hit for the cycle, hit two home runs, stole 5 bases, scored 9 times, and drove in 7 runs.

#### Season 4

Ichiro was once again a first rounder, taken 13th overall by coach GreenDayEagles of the Mets. He once again led the team in home runs, runs scored, and stolen bases, but his batting average took a slight decline.

#### Season 5

Ichiro was a first round pick yet again, taken 16th overall by coach crazyei8hts of the Giants. With advanced knowledge of AI defenses, crazyei8hts started a trend. After drafting another right field lock in Vladimir Guerrero, along with locks at first base and shortstop, Ichiro was the Giants' AI catcher. With one of the strongest arms in the league, not many dared to steal off of him. This defensive strategy led to Ichiro winning the Goldie Glove award as best fielder.

At the plate, Ichiro was excellent yet again. He recorded career highs with a 0.794 batting average and 41 stolen bases. He was a big reason why the Giants led the league with a 13-1 record. Unfortunately, the Giants lost in the NLDS to the Wombats.

#### Season 6

After defeating his team in the playoffs in Season 5, coach Wizard of the Wombats took Ichiro for his own team in Season 6, drafting him 9th overall. Ichiro once again played catcher and was once again so impressive, he was voted as the Goldie Glove winner. Ichiro's numbers weren't as great as Season 5, but he still led his team in runs, steals, and batting average.

#### Season 7

In Season 7, Ichiro was taken 5th overall by the Giants and coach SilverBullet102. Like clockwork, Ichiro was the team leader in runs, steals, and batting average, but the Giants had a rough year and Ichiro had the worst stats of his career.

#### Season 8

Ichiro was taken with his highest pick yet, being taken 2nd overall by coach JibboDaHibbo of the Tigers. Jibbo modeled his team after the Japanese team, the Hanshin Tigers, so it was natural for him to select the talented Japanese player. Ichiro's numbers took a hit, and he was not the most important player in the offense. However, the Tigers still made the ALCS with Ichiro in right field.

#### Season 9

In Season 9, Ichiro was again a first round pick, drafted 12th overall by coach Itaniium of the Giants, his third time playing for the Giants in 5 seasons. Once again, Ichiro was a fantastic catcher for both the player and the AI. Ichiro bested his numbers from the previous two seasons, batting 0.700 with 7 doubles and 23 runs scored. Ichiro and the Giants made the Season 9 playoffs, losing in the first round.

## Trivia

* Ichiro is the only back-to-back award winner of any kind.
* Despite the increased emphasis on strong-armed catchers, Ichiro has stolen at least 10 bases every season he has played.