Suarez's power comes as surprise to Reds

CHICAGO — When manager Bryan Price saw the video of Eugenio Suarez before the Reds traded for him, power wasn't what came to mind.

"We saw so much footage of his before the trade – both him playing the position, and then many at-bats," Price said. "He just looked like an athletic shortstop. He was a defense-first guy.

"I've been surprised by the power and the power to right-center. I didn't anticipate that. I saw him coming over as a defensive shortstop who initially might be more of a lighter-bat guy."

Suarez went into Wednesday hitting .280 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 261 at-bats. That projects to 21 homers and 73 RBI over a 500-at-bat season.

"He's been a real pleasant surprise," Price said. "From an extra-base standpoint, he's about as good as anybody in the club."

Suarez has been surprised as well.

"My power is my natural power," he said. "I don't try to hit the ball out of the field. My swing is really hard. I just try hitting the ball hard. The ball flies when I hit sometimes."

Suarez hit a two-run homer to tie the game on Monday and solo shot to give them the lead Tuesday.

"That ball I hit (Tuesday)? I didn't know that was going out," he said. "I missed that ball. The air helped me a lot."

The home run Monday was the opposite way to right-center.

"That was a good swing," Suarez said. "They throw me a lot of fastballs away. I was waiting for that one."

Suarez, 24, wasn't called up until Zack Cozart was injured June 11. The question on a lot of fans' minds is what happens when Cozart returns.

Suarez is fine playing somewhere else. Left field is essentially open for 2016.

"I just want to play," he said, "wherever the manager puts me is OK. I know I can play other positions. I just want to play in the big leagues. I don't want to play in the minor leagues no more."

HAMILTON UPDATE: Billy Hamilton (right shoulder strain) began throwing Wednesday for the first time since his Aug. 18 injury.

"It's a right shoulder injury, so staying away from any throwing was part of the recovery process," Price said. "Right now, from my last report, he's pain-free in all of his activity.

"We're hoping for a good report after he plays catch. Hopefully, we'll initiate swinging the bat. The challenge right now is that these minor-league seasons are ending."

Unless Hamilton moves quickly in his progress, he won't have a chance to rehab in the minors. The minor league season ends in five days.

MORE CALL-UPS? The Reds may or may not add more September call-ups Friday when they return home.

"Right now, it's a need-be circumstance," Price said. "We have a nine-man bullpen with a day off (Thursday). I don't see the need. I don't think we have a bevy of position players who will be coming. That's going to be a lot smaller group."

GAG TIME: The Reds' rookies, at least the ones not in the lineup, were sent across Addison Street to a Starbucks to pick up drinks for whomever wanted one.

The catch: They went in full uniform – and the veteran players heckled them while they did.