Cincinnati Reds: Suarez keeps power at the hot corner

When Eugenio Suarez hit his twentieth home run of the year while visiting the Los Angeles Angels, it became the third year in a row that the Cincinnati Reds’ starting third baseman hit 20 homers.

Todd Frazier hit more than 20 each of his last two years with the Cincinnati Reds. He hit exactly 19 his first two years as a starter.

Suarez has a full month to go before the end of the season.  He may be able to add to his stats this year.  With his power the strikeouts also came as well.  Like Frazier did in 2014 and 2015, Suarez has already struck out more than 130 times.  Suarez even has 19 errors. That’s the exact same number as Frazier did last season.  These two third baseman look fairly similar with a quick glance.

Of course, besides being the home run champion in 2015, Frazier also had years of 4.0 and 5.3 in WAR his last two seasons with the Reds.  Suarez has only earned a 1.5 WAR so far this season.  Based on his play to date, it doesn’t look like he’s going to add much to that this season.  He hits home runs, but isn’t likely to get to the 150 hit plateau that Frazier made his home on during his tenure with the Reds.

More from Reds News

• Reds news: Alejo Lopez and Delino DeShields join the expanded roster
• Reds: Aristides Aquino’s stats since Player of the Month honors are awful
• The Reds are missing the straw that stirs the drink
• 3 early contract extensions the Reds should pursue
• Reds vs. Cardinals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

This might not be the end game for Suarez, either.  He has one of the weaker defensive scores overall, first at short and now at third.  With Zack Cozart still at short and Jose Peraza able to fill-in just about anywhere on the diamond, the Reds are running out of places to play Suarez.

Unfortunately, that may result in Cincinnati trading the slugging infielder.

The Reds are loaded with starting pitching and outfielders at the high minors.  That leaves second or bust for the Reds’ current third baseman.

Suarez may or may not be a part of the Reds’ future.  He has been having a solid personal year in 2016.  Perhaps most importantly, the Reds lost the game 4-2.  Suarez’s two-run homer accounted for both of the runs the Reds scored against Angels’ starter, Jared Weaver.

Next: Prospect Amir Garrett lands on two midseason lists

Suarez chased Weaver from the game.  Unfortunately, by the that time Reds’ starter Tim Adleman had already given up three run. This once again demonstrates that Suarez needs to do more than match Frazier’s home runs for the Reds to be competitive in the National League Central in 2017 and beyond if he is still on the team.