Eugenio Suarez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #7 prospect in 2014
  When the Tigers signed Suarez out of Venezuela in 2008, they were taking a flier on a low-level player who was 5-foot-9 but had good feel for the game. After signing, he grew taller, gained muscle and his stock jumped. Suarez started 2013 at high Class A Lakeland but after a hot start the Tigers promoted him to Double-A Erie, where he held his own. Suarez has a quiet approach with a short, flat swing from both sides of the plate that allows him to keep the bat head in the zone a long time. He makes frequent contact but also shows solid plate patience, though his swing got inconsistent in Double-A when he would get too uphill trying to launch the ball. Suarez has below-average power, so he's at his best staying inside the ball and working the gaps. Some scouts see him as an offensive-oriented utility man, but others think he made significant strides on defense and consider him a potential above-average defender at shortstop. He has a plus arm, a quick release, good footwork and soft hands, though he can still get careless at times. He's a below-average runner, however, and some scouts question his range, preferring him at second base. Suarez continues to surpass expectations each year, and he has a chance to be an everyday shortstop in the majors.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #9 prospect in 2013
  Suarez made the leap to full-season ball in 2012, his fourth professional season. He was one of the best all-around infielders in the Midwest League, ranking second in the league in hits (147) and fielding percentage at shortstop (.971) and playing in the circuit's all-star game. Suarez has a short, quick stroke and works himself into hitter's counts. He barrels balls consistently and can drive them to the gaps, but he sometimes gets too pull-conscious and needs to work on using the middle of the field more often. His on-base skills stand out more than his below-average power. Suarez has smooth defensive actions, soft hands and a plus arm, but his range at shortstop is limited by his fringe-average speed. He's able to compensate in the field because of his above-average instincts for the game. He's steady and makes plays on all the balls he gets to, though he can get a little too comfortable at times in the field. He played errorless ball in 15 games at second base for West Michigan. Suarez's instincs also show on the bases, where he's a good baserunner and can read pitchers. He wore down toward the end of the year, so he'll need to do a better job preparing for the grind of a full season schedule. While he might be a little stretched at shortstop, Suarez still is Detroit's top prospect at the position. He'll spend 2013 in high Class A.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #28 prospect in 2012
  Suarez spent his first two years playing in the Venezuelan Summer League and was the Tigers' VSL player of the year in 2010. He made his U.S. debut last year, dominating the Gulf Coast League for two weeks before earning a promotion to Connecticut. Suarez is notable more for his baseball instincts than his raw tools. He has grown two inches since signing but still isn't a physical player. He needs to develop a better two-strike approach but he has quick hands and could become an average hitter with fringy power. Suarez shows flashes of quality defense at shortstop with good range up the middle and a strong arm, but he also committed 24 errors in 70 games last year. Like many young shortstops, he needs to learn to not force throws or rush the double play. He's an average runner. Suarez may not be an everyday player but he has enough potential to be a utility player in the big leagues. He'll step up to low Class A this year.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Suarez made the leap to full-season ball in 2012, his fourth professional season. He was one of the best all-around infielders in the Midwest League, ranking second in the league in hits (147) and fielding percentage at shortstop (.971) and playing in the circuit's all-star game. Scouting Report: Suarez has a short, quick stroke and works himself into hitter's counts. He barrels balls consistently and can drive them to the gaps, but he sometimes gets too pull-conscious and needs to work on using the middle of the field more often. His on-base skills stand out more than his below-average power. Suarez has smooth defensive actions, soft hands and a plus arm, but his range at shortstop is limited by his fringe-average speed. He's able to compensate in the field because of his above-average instincts for the game. He's steady and makes plays on all the balls he gets to, though he can get a little too comfortable at times in the field. He played errorless ball in 15 games at second base for West Michigan. Suarez's instincs also show on the bases, where he's a good baserunner and can read pitchers. He wore down toward the end of the year, so he'll need to do a better job preparing for the grind of a full season schedule. The Future: While he might be a little stretched at shortstop, Suarez still is Detroit's top prospect at the position. He'll spend 2013 in high Class A.