Seiya Suzuki’s struggles may have handed Cubs lineup control to Owen Caissie

Before this week, it seemed clear that the Chicago Cubs were going to sink with the Titanic-sized ship that was their starting outfield. Despite having Owen Caissie on the Major League roster, the early messaging from the Cubs was that the top prospect wasn't going to replace any of Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, or Kyle Tucker from the starting lineup. Tuesday brought a change to that stance as the Cubs admitted that Tucker was in need of some time off, and Caissie didn't waste the opportunity that was in front of him.

Caissie had a home run and 4 RBI across the two games the Cubs played on Tuesday, and if anything, it served as the primary piece of evidence why the young outfielder should be given a path to consistent plate appearances now that he is on the Major League roster.

No, Caissie isn't going to unseat Tucker as the permanent right fielder in the Cubs' starting lineup, but there is an easy path to balance his plate appearances.

Seiya Suzuki may be fading just as Owen Caissie makes his move

An uncomfortable truth may be in the process of being confirmed for the Cubs: Seiya Suzuki may not be capable of putting together a consistent approach for the duration of a 162-game season. Lost in the mess of Tucker's slump has been that Suzuki has been just as bad.

Since the All-Star break, Suzuki is slashing .186/.322/.278 with 2 home runs and a wRC+ of 80. Unlike Tucker, prolonged slumps have become a calling card for Suzuki each season, and his last 118 plate appearances are proof that the trend has continued for the 2025 season.

Suzuki's slump isn't ideal, considering he was one of the key pieces to their success earlier this season, but it has created an easy path forward with Caissie on the roster. Caissie likely won't unseat Suzuki as the Cubs' primary designated hitter this season, but he does give Craig Counsell an option on days when he doesn't like the matchup for the veteran.

Too many times before the Cubs have promoted a hot-hitting prospect only to let them waste away on the bench. That shouldn't be the case for Caissie, who made his debut while being the top prospect in the Cubs' farm system. The back of the baseball cards for Suzuki suggests that the Cubs shouldn't be married to having him in the starting lineup, especially during times when he looks lost at the plate. That's the whole purpose of pulling the lever that was promoting Caissie to the Major League level.

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