As the major league baseball season opens in Japan, the attention of a nation and the fantasy world will be on Ichiro Suzuki.
Future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki has a new spot in the Seattle Mariners line-up.
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After all, he will be heading into uncharted territory as he bats third for the offensively challenged Seattle Mariners who are juggling their 2012 line-up to get a little more charge in terms of run production.
Chone Figgins is expected to assumed leadoff duties for the Mariners. The 34 year old hit just .181 last season and is looking to regain the form that once made him a catalyst on the base paths. However, with Jesus Montero, Justin Smoak, and Mike Carp in the lineup, there is some hope as the Mariners enter the 2012 season.
Things couldn't get much worse. Last season, they hit a paltry .233 as a team (last in the AL), hammering just 109 homers (13th in the AL), and scoring only 556 runs (worst in all of baseball). Thus, with moving Ichiro into the three spot, the Mariners have little to lose.
Owners and Seattle manager Eric Wedge hope for a big return to form for Ichiro in 2012. He suffered his worst season as a major leaguer last year posting .272-5-47-80-40 numbers. He is a lifetime .326 hitter.
Yet there is plenty of hope for a solid season for fantasy owners. In the three hole, Ichiro should have a bevy of RBI opportunities and could easily eclipse his career high of 69 which he set in his rookie year. With the speed of Figgins he could see more fastballs batting third with ample opportunity to drive the ball. This could equate to more home runs though challenging the career high of 15 he hit in 2005 could be a stretch.
Then again, if you have ever seen Ichiro in batting practice you would never question his ability to turn on a pitch.
Oddly, the biggest impact on Ichiro's production could rest with Dustin Ackley. The second year pro is being relied on heavily to provide solid defense at second base, but to also repeat the .348 OBP he tallied last season. If Figgins falters in the leadoff position, it would not be surprising to see Ackley eventually wind up the Mariners leadoff hitter.
All things considered, expect Ichiro to rebound. Even if the average only approaches .300, he should have an abundance of extra base hits and approach 80 RBI. All of which should make his owners very happy.
Sources: Yahoo! sports
Robert Watkins is former investment professional and partner. A native New Yorker until 9/11, he considers Pa. his adoptive home. A passionate Yankees fan and Pennsylvania sports enthusiast, Robert is a frequent contributor to Yahoo! Sports and News.
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