Inspiration.
Eugenio Suarez led the NL in strikeouts in 2019, and led the AL in strikeouts in 2022 and 2023. As might be expected, every season his strikeout-per-PA was worse than the previous season. Strikeouts were an underlying characteristic that impacted more traditional batting performance metrics like OBP, SLG, whiff% and hard hit %.
In 2022 and 2023, his hard-hit percentage improved, albeit there was little to no impact on his SLG.
In that context, the Diamondbacks acquired Eugenio Suarez for the 2024 season. Let’s look at his 2024 batting performance from the perspective of strikeouts.
It’s all about his strikeouts.
Looking at Eugenio Suarez’s pre-Diamondbacks career, there were three seasons with excellent OBP and SLG. It’s notable that his SO/PA and whiff percentage were lower in those seasons. Following those seasons, he increased his hard-hit percentage. Although it seems inconsistent, when he increased his hard-hit percentage, his SLG was lower than before.
In his first three months as a Diamondback, Eugenio Suarez batting slumped (OBP, SLG, and hard-hit percentage). Except for a slight improvement in March/April, strikeouts per PA was unchanged.
Midseason, something changed!
Eugenio Suarez dramatically reduced his strikeouts per PA! At the same time his OBP percentage recovered to the nearly same level as the previous two seasons, while his hard-hit percentage reached career highs. That drove a big improvement in his SLG.
The following table shows previous seasons and monthly results for 2024. His successful intervals are circled in turquoise!
Data from Baseball Reference and Baseball Savant.
What changed in mid-season?
He made better contact with the baseball. The following table (from this AZ Snake Pit Round Table) shows four measures of contact. They all improved.
Eugenio Suarez. Data from Baseball Savant.
Spring Training 2025.
Albeit small sample size, let’s look at spring training for insights about his performance this season. Through his first 29 PAs, his .379 OBP and .565 SLG were encouraging. On the other hand, his .35 strikeouts per PA was too high. Because of his excellent OBP and SLG, I’m taking an optimistic (but watchful) view for this season.
Spring Training Update: After his first 46 PAs, his .413 OBP and .583 SLG were more than encouraging. And, focusing on strikeouts, during the second half of spring training, it improved by a lot:
- .35 SO/PA in the first 29 PAs.
- .04 SO/PA in the next 17 PAs.
Summary.
Eugenio Suarez led the NL in strikeouts in 2019, and led the AL in strikeouts in 2022 and 2023.
Looking at Eugenio Suarez’s pre-Diamondbacks career, there were three seasons with excellent OBP and SLG. It’s notable that his SO/PA and whiff percentage were lower in those seasons.
In his first three months as a Diamondback, Eugenio Suarez batting slumped. Except for a slight improvement in March/April, strikeouts per PA was unchanged.
Midseason something changed!
Eugenio Suarez dramatically reduced his strikeouts per PA! At the same time his OBP percentage recovered to the nearly same level as the previous two seasons, while his hard-hit percentage reached career highs. That drove a big improvement in his SLG.
Likely, he made better contact with the baseball. Four measures of contact showed improvement.
In his first 29 PAs of spring training, his .35 Strikeouts per PA were too high. Because of his excellent OBP and SLG, I’m taking an optimistic (but watchful) view for this season.