Before the season started, Eugenio Suarez‘s life changed.
The Cincinnati Reds, his organization from 2015 to 2021, decided to trade him to the Seattle Mariners.
He needed to start a new life on the other side of the country.
Fortunately for him, he went from one of the worst teams in the National League to one of the best in the American League.
He is now part of a playoff push and will play in October unless something really unexpected happens.
On Sunday, he reminded us all why the Mariners pursued him in the firs place: because he has game-changing power.
He hit two home runs against the Atlanta Braves pitching staff, one of them to walk things off on Sunday and give the Ms an 8-7 come-from-behind win.
One Of The League’s Premier Power Sources In The Last Five Years
With the two blasts, Suarez is now MLB’s home run leader since 2018.
Yes, you read that right: even with Aaron Judge hitting 55 homers so far in 2022, he still can’t beat Suarez if we combine the last five seasons.
“Most MLB home runs since 2018: Eugenio Suárez —> 159; Aaron Judge —> 157; Nolan Arenado —> 149; Matt Olson —> 146; Kyle Schwarber —> 144; Mike Trout —> 143,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
Most MLB home runs since 2018:
Eugenio Suárez —> 159 👀
Aaron Judge —> 157
Nolan Arenado —> 149
Matt Olson —> 146
Kyle Schwarber —> 144
Mike Trout —> 143pic.twitter.com/e2fIor7ql6— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) September 12, 2022
Suarez won’t hit for a high average, but he is slashing .235/.336/.468 with 30 homers, 70 runs, 82 RBI and a 135 wRC+ in 2022.
That 135 wRC+ means he has been 35 percent better than the league-average offensive player this year.
Suarez has become one of the league’s most underrated power hitters,
He hit 34 homers in 2018, 49 in 2019, 15 in 2020, and 31 last year.
Year after year, he is a threat to surpass 30 round-trippers while playing a solid third base.
The Mariners got themselves a pretty good player in Suarez.
NEXT: Julio Rodriguez Hit An Absolute Clutch Blast On Sunday
