Getty Images
The “next man up” call to action applies to all sports, and after Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart sustained a season-ending injury, Eugenio Suarez was promoted to be that next man up.
While he has had limited playing time due to being recently called up, Suarez has been producing on both sides of the ball. In nine games he has produced the following stat line:
.258 avg. / 1 HR / 5 RBIs / 1.000 Fielding Percentage
The biggest ding on Suarez coming up was the potential loss of quality defense in comparison to Cozart, but he has been able to surprise many with his above-average fielding thus far. Offensively, he has been acceptable. While the Reds would like him to be hitting better than .258, they remind themselves that he is only 23 years old.
Take for example the Detroit Tigers’ Jose Iglesias. In 49 games with Detroit in 2013, he hit .259. Now, after missing a season due to injury, Iglesias is hitting .323 with a .377 on-base percentage. The Reds can only hope that Suarez develops into the kind of shortstop Iglesias has become. If he can then the Reds may have found their shortstop of the future.
While the Reds may lose the pop that Cozart has, if Suarez develops into an Iglesias, then his ability to hit for average and get on base will slide Cozart into a bench role. At this point it is too early to tell whether Suarez will become the Reds’ version of Iglesias and be the “shortstop of the future” or become just another shadow of Barry Larkin.
Chad Troyan is a baseball and football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
