Eugenio Suárez, an often overlooked power hitter, is nearing a significant milestone in his career with just 10 home runs shy of 300. Since his debut in 2014, Suárez has consistently demonstrated impressive power, making his career feats deserving of more recognition in baseball circles.

Early Career and Growth with Cincinnati

Suárez began his major league journey with the Detroit Tigers at age 22 in 2014 before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Alfredo Simon. This trade turned out to be highly beneficial for the Reds. Over the years, Suárez’s power surged as he steadily increased his home run totals, culminating in a remarkable 49-home run season in 2019.

Despite this outstanding performance, Suárez was not selected as an All-Star in his peak year but did earn an All-Star appearance the previous season. Cincinnati recognized his value, signing him to a seven-year, $66 million contract extension before the 2018 season, an agreement that proved to be a bargain given his consistent production.

Suárez’s 2020 season was shortened by the pandemic but still showed solid power with 15 home runs despite a batting average dip. His strikeout rate remained high, and after suffering a shoulder injury in the offseason before 2021, his numbers, though still respectable with 31 home runs, began to raise concerns among Reds management. This led to his trade along with several prospects in a move to reduce payroll and reshape the team.

Transition to Seattle and a Power Rebound

When the Seattle Mariners lost Kyle Seager, they saw an opportunity to add a proven power hitter and signed Suárez for just over $11 million. Suárez responded with a strong rebound, improving his weighted runs created plus (wRC+) to the second-best mark of his career at 132, just behind his historic 2019 season.

He matched his previous home run tally in a more challenging ballpark for power hitters, though strikeouts continued to be an issue, exceeding 30% of his plate appearances. Still, the Mariners valued his power enough to accept the trade-off.

However, in 2023, Suárez’s power numbers declined to 22 home runs despite playing all 162 games, along with a wRC+ of 104 that failed to meet Seattle’s expectations. With payroll pressures mounting, the Mariners traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Carlos Vargas and Seby Zavala.

Strong Performance with the Arizona Diamondbacks

Suárez quickly found his footing in Arizona, returning to a 30-home run pace in his first season with the Diamondbacks—his fifth season reaching or surpassing 30 home runs. He also hit over 100 RBIs for the first time since 2019, proving to be a key veteran presence during Arizona’s campaign.

Last season marked the sixth time Suárez posted a fWAR above 3.5, illustrating his continued value well beyond his contract cost of approximately $11 million per year. The Diamondbacks exercised their option for 2025, locking him in at $15 million.

Through the first 53 games this year, Suárez already has 14 home runs and has managed to reduce his strikeout rate to 23.9%, his lowest since 2018. He remains a formidable bat against fastballs, consistently sending balls into the stands. As he approaches his 34th birthday this July and enters a contract year, many are curious about his next move.

Outlook for Suárez’s Career and Free Agency Prospects

Approaching free agency at age 34, Suárez faces an important moment. The Diamondbacks have extended contracts to Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte, and with top prospect Jordan Lawlar expected to take over at third base, Suárez’s future in Arizona appears uncertain. A designated hitter role could be a possibility, but given the team‘s growing payroll, Suárez is likely to explore options on the open market.

Durability has been a hallmark of his career; since becoming a regular player in 2016, Suárez has appeared in at least 90% of his team’s games each season. His blend of power and consistency makes him an attractive acquisition for teams looking to add both veteran presence and leadership in the clubhouse.

Known for his upbeat personality and infectious smile, Suárez contributes positively to team chemistry, an intangible quality that organizations value highly. With 290 career home runs, Suárez is well positioned to surpass 300 by season’s end, potentially finishing between 305 and 310.

The question remains whether Suárez can reach the 400-home-run club. To do so, he would need about 90 more homers over the next four seasons, maintaining approximately a 22-home run pace annually. Considering his health and ability to secure playing time, this goal appears attainable, placing him among an elite group of fewer than 60 players who have reached that milestone.

The Growing Appreciation for Players Like Suárez

In baseball’s evolving era, players with high strikeout rates paired with significant power output are increasingly valued. Suárez’s ability to generate impactful offense despite frequent strikeouts fits the modern game’s effectiveness standards, a contrast to earlier baseball generations.

Fans who have followed Suárez from the beginning appreciate his resilience and commitment. Despite playing on less competitive teams such as Cincinnati during rebuilding phases, he maintained a positive attitude and gave maximum effort to help his teams succeed.

Suárez represents the kind of player who combines talent, durability, and character, traits that merit wider recognition as his career continues. His story is a reminder that not all great power hitters capture the spotlight immediately, but their achievements contribute meaningfully to the sport’s history.