Hideki Matsui Vs Ichiro Suzuki

[Blackout]

Which Japanese import is better?

Hideki Matsui: .295/.371/.485, 125 OPS+

Ichiro Suzuki: .333/.379/.437, 119 OPS+


top 3 OPS+ seasons:

matsui: 137, 130, 128
suzuki: 130, 126, 122


Ichiro won an MVP in 2001 and set the record for hits in a single season in 2004

Matsui is the first Japanese player in MLB history to hit 100 home runs

[GiambiJuice]

For per-game value, I'd say Matsui. But Ichiro has been healthy and has a lot more at bats. He's also a better fielder and baserunner.

Gotta go with Ichiro on this one, even though I don't like him.

[jalbright]

In Japan, H. Matusi's greater power led to far more HR--and thus more value there, as Hideki also knows how to walk. But in the majors, where the edge in power is muted, Ichiro is the more valuable player.

[leecemark]

For me "Ichiro is a better player" serves though. He was better in Japan and he is better in MLB.

[stejay]

This is an obvious answer. Ichiro by a country mile. And thats coming from a Yankee fan.

[KCGHOST]

Hideki who???

[bob]

Ichiro easily. Ok so he doesn't have the power of Matsui, but is a far better contact hitter, base runner and fielder. He just hasn't adjusted to the American game as well as Ichiro did, and Ichiro has been very consistent. Matsui would need to improve a whole lot of have a serious claim to being the best Japanese player in MLB.

[BoSox Rule]

This is very easy. They're definitely not similar offensive players, but their offensive output is similiar in value. Ichiro is also one of the best baserunners, basestealers, and defensive players this game has ever seen. Matsui is a terrible fielder. Ichiro by a longshot.

Ichiro .297 EqA and 89 FRAA (65.7 WARP, 9.52/162)
Matsui .300 EqA and -29 FRAA (28.8 WARP, 6.86/162)

I can't be 100% sure about this since they were younger, but you'd assume they had just about the same exact value (or atleast relatively) in the field and on the basepaths in Japan.

Ichiro 1057 Games, .355/.418/.524, a .942 OPS
Matsui 1270 Games, .304/.413/.582, a .995 OPS

You could argue Ichiro was better over there. Would you take the all-world fielder with exceptional baserunning and basestealing skills with a .942 OPS, or a lead gloved .995 OPS hitter?

[baseballPAP]

Matsui is far from a terrible fielder....he's good enough he has played 70+ games in center, and without losing anything (probably gaining, as he was there largely replacing an injured Bernie Williams, who was only slightly better than my aunt Petunia at that time). He's at least an Average LF...probably 7/10 when compared with a league that has the likes of Barry Bonds, Adam Dunn and Manny Ramirez to compare him with.

Matsui is also better at drawing a walk, and a much better power hitter. His RBI advantage doesn't make any difference, its a function of hitting in a great lineup, and in an RBI slot.

Ichiro, however, is an elite level defender, maybe top 10 all time as a RF. Only maybe because of his relatively short career in MLB....otherwise he's for sure top 2 or 3. Baserunning and OBP advantages are all Ichiro also, although if he'd draw 60-70 walks a year he'd be approaching Rickey Henderson territory as a leadoff man.

Ichiro....but closer than most (so far) think.

[Edgartohof]

I can't be 100% sure about this since they were younger, but you'd assume they had just about the same exact value (or atleast relatively) in the field and on the basepaths in Japan.

I think not. Ichiro has always had a distinct advantage over Matsui in these areas.

[hellborn]

I still wonder why Ichiro usually doesn't score nearly as many runs as you'd think he would, but his excellent defense puts him well ahead of Matsui in my book. I think the Yanks would love to put Hideki at DH, but they have Giambi to deal with.
Matsui isn't as bad as Manny, but he's not a lot better, either. Remember Papi's triple clanging right off the middle of Matsui's glove and a Cabrera bloop single that Matsui put zero effort into catching in the '04 ALCS?

[GiambiJuice]

I still wonder why Ichiro usually doesn't score nearly as many runs as you'd think he would,

Perhaps because he only hits singles and has mediocre hitters behind him.

[BoSox Rule]

I think not. Ichiro has always had a distinct advantage over Matsui in these areas.

I meant

MLB Ichiro = Japanese League Ichiro
MLB Matsui = Japanese League Matsui

Not what you said. I said it to put their overall performance over there in perspective so nobody was just looking at the .995 OPS vs. .942 OPS without taking Ichiro's other positive qualites/Matsui's negative qualities in to consideration.