White Sox prospect earns (and rejects) comparisons to Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki

When the White Sox designated Jarred Kelenic for assignment on Monday, it closed the door to one connection with the Mariners while inadvertently opening up another one. That's because Chicago called up Rikuu Nishida from Triple-A Charlotte, a prospect who has been compared to M's legend Ichiro Suzuki.

Japanese? Check! A speedster? Another check! Wearing No. 51? It's a check! Playing in right field and possessing a great arm? That's a resounding check!

It's tough not to get Ichiro vibes and chills when you see Nishida throwing out runners at home plate for the White Sox. As if this isn't enough of a comparison, the 25-year-old's also managed to get a hit in both contests versus the Twins. Again sounding a lot like Ichiro, it's been said he'll find a way to get to first base however possible.

Rikuu Nishida is having none of the Ichiro comparisons

There's already plenty of love for Nishida, with White Sox director of player development Paul Janish calling him the best personality in the organization. And it's tough not to agree with this characterization when you see how he reacts to attempts to compare him with Ichiro:

Nishida may have confidence in his abilities, but he's too humble and respectful to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ichiro. You can tell he's a big fan of the all-time single season hits leader, but would prefer to focus on leaving his own mark on the majors without the burden of living up to such lofty comparisons.

Interestingly, FanGraphs' assessment on Nishida at the end of last year didn't make him sound like anything special: "Nishida is a delightful pint-sized slash-and-dash menace to minor league defenses. He has bottom-of-the-scale power and 2B/LF utility."

However, after beginning this season in Double-A Birmingham, Nishida soon got the call-up to Triple-A for the first time and prospered. And after batting .347 with a .849 OPS in 33 games, the White Sox felt he was ready for his chance in the majors.

Interestingly, the 2023 11th-round draft pick describes baseball as just his hobby, but betrays his attempts to disassociate from Ichiro by admitting it's because he likes baseball. That sure sounds like the Hall of Famer, who still works out in right field prior to every home game for the Mariners even seven years after retiring.

Sorry, Nishida, but the gig's up. He's a smart man not to promote or encourage comparisons to Ichiro, but his actions speak otherwise. Besides, Mariners fans can think of plenty of worse players to be compared to, and might even be casting an envious eye towards the folks on the South Side of Chicago.

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