ZeroPSI

Ichiro Suzuki vs. Torii Hunter

Who is the better all around player between the two. Ichiro is a hit machine with blazing speed and Torii has amazing power and is able to bat in 100+ each year. Both of them have superb field presence and skills. Now that both of them are playing CF in the American League, who do you think is the best between the two?

Scottman111

Tough call. IMO, Ichiro is the better hitter and Hunter has better defense and more power.


I'd still take Ichiro, though. His head is always in the game.

chinoz

Its hard to compare the two because they're used offensively for different reasons
Torii has only had 100+ RBIs once in his career and 30+ HRs once.
Ichiro scores runs, has a higher OBP and bats for average.
Slight edge to Torii defensively

Ichiro is the guy I'd want on my team though

Chr8808

iTrader: (1)

Both these guys are +fielders,
Torrii is known more for his range and amazing catches, Ichiro is known for his arm
As far as hitting, id take Ichiro - even in his off year 100+R/33SB/.303 AVG is above average for his style of play. While an off year for Hunter-he is actually very consistent with his numbers if not injured; so we will say we can expect 25hr/90RBIs/but also a <.300BA regardless. But his flaws are more costly being his higher strikeouts and lower batting average. I think if Ichiro moved to 3 or 5 in the order, he will definately drive in 100+ every year.

There are lots more 25/90/270 hitters, but not too many guys who will guarantee 200 hits every year though. That being, i would take ichiro over hunter.
Id really like to see Ichiro in RF for the Yankees next year

JediMindTricks

ichiro.

GIBSON6594

Ichiro is by far the all around better player.

Yumcha

I'd take Ichiro any day. Hunter's good but there are other comparable players like him...A good lead-off man who can hit and be on-base like Ichiro is rare and harder to come by.

NetEditor

No contest: Ichiro.

The only thing Hunter is better at than Ichiro is power hitting.

JediMindTricks

and ichiro may not be a 25+ hr hitter, but i'm always reading articles and quotes about how he can hit for power if he really wanted to.

don't know what that means exactly but thought it was interesting.

NetEditor

He has said he could hit more home runs, but would have to change is swing and stance. If you watch him, he gets out of the batter's box faster than anyone, allowing him to get a lot of infield hits. That approach robs him of a lot of power.

cmark

no contest.

IlliNorge

I think Ichiro is the better player, but Hunter is the better teammate. Don't forget 99% of the Mariners can't ever have a conversation with the guy. Hunter is one of the keystone players on the Twins.

JediMindTricks

thanks.

Yumcha

He could take some of that very useful flaxseed oil to help...?

Chr8808

iTrader: (1)

Ichiro's quotes are hilarious

http://www.withleather.com/post.phtml?pk=2888

On performance-enhancing drugs: “When you take steroids, it’s not as if wings grow out of your back, and you start flying all over the place and stealing home runs (from hitters).

Tiger Woods’ athleticism: “Tiger is a great golfer, but … when you say athlete, I think of Carl Lewis. When you talk about (golfers or race-car drivers), I don’t want to see them run. It’s the same if you were to meet a beautiful girl and go bowling. If she’s an ugly bowler, you are going to be disappointed.”

There were a few more in either SI or ESPN a couple of days ago too

JediMindTricks

i hear that it's a misconception that ichiro is a bad teammate and that he's just not that personable with the media.

then i've also heard he was pretty standoffish with his teammates in japan.

JediMindTricks

lol...dude's pretty witty...

On his impressions of Korea: "It smells like garlic."

On speeding up the game: "Yesterday when I played, inside my head I said 'I want to go home quickly,' and I swung and I was able to get a hit because I wanted to go home. Today I thought, 'I want to hurry up and get something to eat,' and I swung and got a hit today."

Explaining why he missed catching a fly ball: "The ball became the same color as the sky. So, I wasn't able to see it ... I was sending mental signals for the ball not to come my way, because during that time of day it's impossible for me to see the ball so I lacked mental signals. I lacked in that area. Usually, I don't send mental signals. So, because this is the first time, I thought, please don't come my way."

On playing in Cleveland: "To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."

ZeroPSI

I think Ichiro is the best all-around player today in baseball. He does what he is suppose to do, get on base, score runs, and defend well. When watching him bat, I think the only way he actually gets out a lot of the time is if he accidentally hits the ball directly at a position player. Not only he is one of the most exciting players in baseball, but def. worth the $100 mil the M's are about to pony up for him.

No question.

GIBSON6594

I agree that he is very good, but you think he is better than A-rod?

ZeroPSI

Better player: yes
Better hitter: no

sonnyg80

ichi

treyster

I read a similar article. He said he could bat .220 and be a power hitter, but that's not what he's paid for. He's paid to bat over .300 and get on base!!

I'd definitely take him over Hunter

treyster

From what I remember, he was unlike anything I've ever seen from a Japanese player. When I think of japanese baseball, I think of Tom Selleck's teammates on "Mr Baseball", but Ichiro came over and looked like he played in MLB for years. He had a swagger and style that is so unlike japanese baseball. No wonder his teammates didn't get along with him.

bgsm1th

As long as it means Torii won't ask for 20 Million/yr., I'll vote Ichi all day long!

In all seriousness, as much as I am a homer and love Torii, I just don't think he's quite on par with Ichiro