Cubs’ surprising RBI leader tied with 2x MVP for league lead

Over the past two seasons, the Cubs’ RBI leaders have included players like Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, and Dansby Swanson. With Bellinger no longer on the team and Kyle Tucker patrolling the outfield instead, Tucker was the clear favorite to lead Chicago in RBI’s at the start of the season.

However, that has not been the case. A surprising player has emerged as the team’s RBI leader. In fact, he is performing so well that he is currently keeping pace with a two time MVP for the league lead in that category.

Surprising Chicago Cubs’ RBI leader tied with 2x MVP for league lead

Entering play on May 21, Cubs’ designated hitter Seiya Suzuki is tied with two time MVP Aaron Judge for the league lead in RBI’s with 43. Trailing close behind them is Chicago outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose 39 RBI has him tied for the fourth most this year.

For Suzuki, he has accumulated several games with multiple RBI. Of the 20 games this season that he has recorded a RBI, 14 of those contests have been multi RBI performances. His single season high for RBI in a game this year is five, but he also has one four RBI game and three three-RBI games.

In the past two seasons, Suzuki has accumulated 74 and 73 RBI’s respectively. In 2023 his 74 RBI’s was fourth best on the team and in 2024 his 73 RBI’s was the third best. This year, he looks to have a real shot at not only leading the ball club, but being one of the league leaders as well.

The Cubs have an explosive offense

By now it is no secret that the Cubs have an incredibly deep offense that can put up runs in bunches. They currently lead the league in runs scored with 291 and triples with 13, are second in hits with 447, and have the fourth most home runs with 68.

This year, Chicago has scored 10 or more runs 10 times in a game, which currently leads the lead. Through 49 games, they also have five games where they have won by a margin of at least ten runs, which ties that mark from a season ago. All of this had led to a National League best +82 run differential.

The secret to the Cubs offensive explosion this year is an incredibly deep and versatile lineup that can beat opposing pitchers in multiple ways, but Seiya Suzuki’s success should not be overlooked as he has been a major part of that success. His timely ability to drive in runs have helped Chicago surge and they are making a serious statement to be contenders in the National League.