Eugenio Suarez | SS News

Eugenio Suarez
2013 Rank: 8
ETA: 2015
Position: SS
Age: 21, DOB: 07/18/1991
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 5' 11", Weight: 180
Signed: Oct. 9, 2008 - DET
Twitter: @EugenioSuarez5
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 3/5 | Power: 3/4 | Run: 4/4 | Arm: 5/5 | Field: 5/6 | Overall: 4/5

While he faded a bit at the end, Suarez’s first taste of full-season ball can be qualified as nothing more than a huge success. He finished the year second in the organization in on-base percentage and third in hits. He has knack for contact with a short stroke that generates excellent bat speed. His approach at the plate is very advanced for someone his age/experience level, showing excellent on-base ability. He does have a little power to his pull side, which can get him in trouble at times. While his speed is fringy, at best, he has excellent instincts both on the basepaths and defensively. He has very smooth defensive actions with good hands and more than enough arm for shortstop. He’s seen some time at second, and some think his lack of speed will necessitate a move to the right side of the infield, though it might be too soon to write off his abilities to stick at short long-term.

Top Prospects: Suarez, DET

02/01/13
00:30

2013 MLB.com Top Prospects: Eugenio Suarez uses a short stroke and good bat speed to drive the ball to all fields

Tigers promote prospect Suarez to Triple-A

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 5/21/2014 8:16 P.M. ET

CLEVELAND -- On the same day Stephen Drew ceased to be a shortstop option for the Tigers, Eugenio Suarez moved one step closer to becoming one in the near future. The Tigers promoted their slick-fielding shortstop prospect from Double-A Erie to Triple-A Toledo late Tuesday night, moving the 22-year-old Venezuelan within an hour of Detroit.

The move came after Suarez went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs for the SeaWolves, raising his average to .284 (44-for-155) with an .850 OPS, 14 doubles, six home runs and 29 RBIs. It also came after Drew signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox, taking him off the free-agent market.

By all indications, the Tigers were never seriously involved on Drew, who would've cost Detroit their first-round pick unless they waited until June 5, the first day of the First-Year Player Draft. Manager Brad Ausmus said Drew was never a topic of serious internal discussion, while team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said the Tigers never made Drew an offer.

Suarez, on the other hand, has been viewed as a potential option if the Tigers wanted to make a midseason change at short. He made a big impression on Tigers officials with his performance in Spring Training, both before and after the degree of Jose Iglesias' injury became clear, but everyone agreed that he needed more seasoning, as much for his bat as his glove. He started out at Erie once the Tigers decided to give Hernan Perez, their potential second baseman of the future, a look at shortstop.

Tuesday's move gives the Tigers a chance to look at Suarez at a higher level in case they have a decision to make this summer. He'll serve as the everyday shortstop for the Mud Hens. Perez, meanwhile, will primarily play at second base, with some occasional starts at shortstop and third base to keep his versatility fresh.

"It may come in handy later on," assistant GM Al Avila said in an email.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.