Suarez has offseason changes, but not on diamond
Reds’ third baseman has a new daughter and platinum gray hair.
There were GOODYEAR, ARIZ. — changes in the offseason for Eugenio Suarez but this time it had nothing to do with where he would play on the baseball diamond.
The 26-year-old from Venezuela moved from shortstop to third base full time during the 2015 season after the departure of Todd Frazier. Suarez filled the void and spent the last two seasons at third.
When shortstop Zack Cozart left for Los Angeles this winter, there was talk about Suarez returning to shortstop. But he will remain at third where Reds bench coach Jim Riggleman considers him Gold Glove caliber.
“(Colorado’s Nolan) Arenado will get it but I think Suarez is right there,” Riggleman said.
There were two changes for Suarez in the offseason. The minor change was his hair color. He was the talk of the clubhouse when he showed up with platinum gray hair. The bigger life change was the birth of his daughter, Nicolle, in September, three weeks before the season ended.
“This life was one of my dreams. It is beautiful,” Suarez said. “I don’t know exactly the word to use but it’s outstanding. She’s beautiful. She changed my life a lot. I work to protect. The only thing on my mind, if she’s good, then I’m good. She’s growing fast. I give her two more weeks before she starts to crawl.”
Suarez kept his family in Florida rather than going home to Venezuela right away. The baby was too young to travel and the country is in a state of civil unrest.
Caring for his family brought perspective and focus to his offseason training.
Suarez hit 26 home runs and had 82 RBIs last season, hitting mostly in the No. 6 spot. He hit .260 and had a .367 on-base percentage.
“Suarez has worked hard to make himself a really good defender,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “I like Suarez in the two spot. He’s a high on-base guy with some thump that can set the table for Joey and Duvall. He’s also a run-producer who can hit in the middle of the order.”
The short spring training is another change thatsuits Suarez.
“I like it because you have to work fast and you’ve got to put your body and mind ready for opening day quick,” he said. “I think it’s good because you have more time for your family. The short spring is going to be good for us.”