News

Actions

Suarez' bat gives Price versatility in lineup

Posted at 1:02 PM, Mar 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-03 13:07:16-05

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds manager Bryan Price will give more clues about his lineup when all the expected  starters are ready to play.

The Reds are holding back Devin Mesoraco and Zack Cozart and keeping Billy Hamilton on an every-other-day plan.

“I’ve got a pretty good feel about the lineup when we’re completely healthy,” Price said. “But until we get Billy back throwing regularly and get Mesoraco and Cozart back playing regularly . . . please don’t read anything into the lineup here in camp, because there’s really nothing to it.”

Hamilton is going to lead off. Price has hit Joey Votto third, Brandon Phillips fourth and Jay Bruce fifth when they played together. 

Eugenio Suarez hit second in the first game, but he might wind up third, fourth or almost anywhere, Price said. 

“I think he can hit [second]. I think he can hit all over," Price said.  "In spring when Joey’s not hitting third, it might be Geno. I think he can hit a lot of places, from second through seventh in a productive lineup when our guys are healthy.

"I really liked seeing him drive those two balls to right-center field. Then the next game, the first pitch he sees in that game yesterday is high and tight, pushes him off the plate. The second-pitch slider gets him out in front, and then they try to bust him again and he smokes that ball down the left-field line for a double. He’s a pretty astute hitter.”