John Ewing/Staff Photographer
Jed Lowrie, 24, is establishing himself as a major-league shortstop.
Argenis Diaz, 21, is so good the Boston Red Sox put him on their 40-man roster.
There are more Boston shortstop prospects looking good – Yamaico Navarro, 20, and Oscar Tejeda, 18.
Then there's Iggy Suarez, 27, who is finishing his second year and first full season in Portland.
He may be old in minor-league terms. His future as a major leaguer is no guarantee.
But of the many who have donned a Sea Dogs uniform over the past 15 years, few have garnered as much respect and popularity as Ignacio Antonio Suarez.
Suarez played 105 games last year in Portland, batted .253, played superb defense and was named the team's "Citizen of the Year" for his contributions to the community.
When the team honors are handed out before Monday's game, Suarez is a heavy favorite to receive the award again.
"He's the mayor," Manager Arnie Beyeler said, regarding Suarez's popularity in Portland. "You've got all the kids buzzing his name every night."
It's common to hear "Ig-gee, Ig-gee," before Suarez comes to bat.
"The support I get from them, I love it," Suarez said. "I think I work hard enough where they know I'm doing my best."
Suarez came to the Red Sox in the 2003 draft, from which only four players remain in the Red Sox organization. Three were drafted early – outfielder Mickey Hall (second round), pitcher Beau Vaughan (third) and pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (fourth). Suarez arrived in the 24th round.
"I've lasted pretty long," Suarez said. "I'm sticking with this. I'm going as long as I can. I've always wanted to do this. I'm finally getting a chance to do it, and I'm not complaining one bit."
Suarez didn't complain last year when he started a fourth season in Class A. He didn't stay there long, hitting .379 in 18 games to earn a promotion to Portland.
Suarez didn't complain when Diaz was promoted this summer and took the starting shortstop job. Diaz is the prospect.
And Suarez hasn't griped about staying in Double-A, although his glove, versatility and clutch hitting (.288 with runners in scoring position, with 50 RBI) could work in Pawtucket.
"Obviously you want to move up," Suarez said. "For me to say I don't think about that stuff, I'd be lying.
"Then it comes to a point that I think about that stuff so much that it takes me away from how I'm playing. And that's not me.
"I want to be out there having fun, smiling and joking around."
Recently, Portland ran out of outfielders because of injuries. Beyeler told Suarez to get ready to play right field, a position he hadn't played since high school. He immediately agreed to it.
"Once I got that first line drive and I caught it, I thought this is pretty cool," Suarez said. "It was fun after that."
His attitude is a plus during a long season.
"I've been on three teams with Iggy," catcher John Otness said. "No matter what team, Iggy is always a presence in the clubhouse. He has a good mentality and a very good perspective. And he knows how to deal with any situation. He's probably one of the best teammates I've ever played with."
Suarez is a role model to his peers, and to the several kids groups he visits.
"Whenever we need someone to jump in and do an appearance, we know we can always go to Iggy," said Chris Cameron, the Sea Dogs' assistant general manager/media relations.
"We had a Kids Club event. He read a story to them. That's all he needed to do, read a story and be done in 10 minutes. Instead of going back to the clubhouse, he hung with them for 20 more minutes, signed autographs and played catch with them."
Suarez said it's "great to have a conversation with them ... especially with little kids. It's cool to let them know that we're normal people like everyone else."
Suarez grew up in Queens, N.Y., where he could walk to Shea Stadium and watch the Mets. He played his college ball at Southwest Texas State and now lives in Miami in the off-season with his older brother.
Suarez's parents have moved to Puerto Rico (where his mother is from). He will stay with them soon when he plays in the Puerto Rican winter league. It's a chance to refine his skills and let other teams get a look at him.
Suarez will be a free agent after the 2009 season.
If he doesn't make it with the Red Sox, Suarez could make it somewhere else.
"He's one of those guys, (other players) are being moved in front of him, and he keeps grinding and keeps working," Beyeler said. "One of these days good things will happen for him because of that."
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.com
Copyright © 2009 MaineToday Media, Inc.