Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

The most impressive thing about Eugenio Suarez on Sunday wasn't necessarily that he hit his fourth home run in six games, although that's certainly damn impressive. It's where he hit it.

Suarez's bomb went to right-center -- and it was a little more right than it was center. That's notable because he's done that only once before. He can recall it instantly.

"Last year I remember that I hit one against the Cubs," Suarez said through interpreter Julio Morillo.

(Suarez speaks decent English, but who am I to quibble if he feels more comfortable having a professional translate his words for him from time to time. Until I can ask questions fluently in Spanish -- I will return to you, Rosetta Stone -- I shouldn't judge.)

Suarez has always been good at using the middle of the field, but his power has historically been of the pull variety. According to Baseball-Reference, half of Suarez's 20 big-league home runs entering Sunday went to left field, with nine going to center. All of those nine were either hit to straight away center or slightly pulled toward left field.

Only two of his 41 minor-league dingers went to right. Opposite-field power may just be the next part of his evolution, which is pretty advanced as it is.

“Have you noticed how good the quality of his at-bats are? Not a lot of big, free swings on pitches outside of the zone," manager Bryan Price said. "If you make a good pitch in tight to him, he’s going to let it pass. He’s not going to force the action. That’s what happens when hitters are really feeling good."

The Reds can't reasonably have known they would get this kind of hitter when they acquired him and a pitching prospect for Alfredo Simon before the 2015 season. He'd hit 12 home runs between the minors and majors the year before, and 10 the year before that.

Last year he hit 20 between Triple-A and the big leagues, and might surpass that tally in 2016. Even before his latest homer -- which came off the bat at 102 mph -- he was sitting 35th in the majors for average batted ball velocity. He was supposed to be a defense-first shortstop. Even he's surprised at what he's doing.

"My body feels strong right now," Suarez said. "(But) it’s surprised me that I’ve been hitting a lot of home runs. That is a good thing for me.”

Bruce scorching hot, Votto not so much

After Jay Bruce walked off the Pirates with a triple -- generously scored as such, if you ask me -- Price thought he saw something different in his embattled slugger after two down years in 2014-15.

“It just seems like he’s liberated," Price said. "He’s really enjoying it. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Bruce is hitting .391/.417/.739 through six games. Maybe it signals the old Bruce is back, maybe it doesn't. I'm sure potential trade partners are paying attention though.

What does not deserve attention is the rough start from Joey Votto, who has gone just 4 for 23 -- all singles -- to start the year. Votto does have three walks, but also put the first pitch in play in three of four at-bats Sunday.

Yes, it's un-Votto-like. It's also so early in the year taxes aren't even due yet. You can believe Votto is a shell of himself if you want, but you also have to believe Bruce is now Superman. For me, it may take a full year of bad performance at the plate to think Joey Votto can't hit.

Reds walk off against Pirates, 2-1, to win series

Minor-league roundup

Triple-A: Brandon Allen was outrighted back to the Louisville Bats on Sunday, and he will not have missed a thing. The Bats have been idle the last three days due to inclement weather. They'll face the Columbus Clippers on Monday ... They hope.

Double-A: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 4-2 on Sunday to move to 3-1. Third base prospect Eric Jagielo homered and went 2 for 4. Shortstop Calten Daal is on the disabled list with a concussion. [Box]

High-A: Outfielder Brian O'Grady homered in the seventh to help the Daytona Tortugas to a 2-1 win over the Brevard County Manatees on Sunday. Outfielder Aristides Aquino went 3 for 3 with a double and stole a bag. [Box]

Low-A: Right-hander Franderlyn Romero gave up seven runs -- but only three earned -- in 5 2/3 innings, and the Dayton Dragons bullpen coughed up the go-ahead run in the seventh of a 8-7 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Sunday. Second baseman Shedric Long went, well, long. [Box]

And because you made it this far ...

- Bring FC Cincinnati's banner back.

- This is an interesting, if heady, article about anthropomorphism. It really just makes me want to tickle a chimp.

- I don't follow golf, but this was cool.

- Today in Zach Watches Too Many Movies and TV Shows: Caught up on Bob's Burgers recently. Had a debate with my significant other about which Belcher child each of us were. Hoped for Louise, settled for Gene. Teddy is the best character, though.

- Gimme all your app downloads and follows.