The Reds officially signed Brent Suter to a one-year contract on Saturday.
To say the newest lefty in the Reds' bullpen is excited to be a part of the organization, would be a huge understatement.
"It's definitely a dream come true," Suter said.
He joins a bullpen that includes multiple new faces, including veterans Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagan. The trio signed with the Reds in free agency.
Suter went 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 69.1 innings pitching for the Colorado Rockies last season. His 3.26 ERA out of the bullpen ranked sixth among all left-handed relievers in Major League Baseball (minimum of 60 innings).
Arguably his most impressive stat from 2023, was that he didn't surrender a single home run at hitter friendly Coors Field. His ability to miss the barrel of the bat is a skill the Reds are hoping will pay major dividends at Great American Ball Park.
It's a ballpark that the Suter is all too familiar with, having called the Queen City home for the past 27 years.
"This is a coming together of a dream that I've had since I first moved to Cincinnati, when I was kid in 1997," Suter said. "Fell in love with the Reds that year and was my favorite team, basically from '97 till I got drafted. [They were] my favorite team of any sports. So to be sitting here today, having signed with the Reds in the big leagues, is something else."
You could see the pure jubilation from his face as he spoke to the media via Zoom on Saturday afternoon. And it wasn't just because the Moeller High School grad watched his alma mater beat Elder in basketball on Friday night.
"It means a lot to my family too. My dad was kind of tearing up when I first agreed to terms on Thursday," Suter said. "He was like, 'your grandpa's looking down, so proud.' He was the biggest Reds fan, all that stuff. So it goes really deep, the love for the Reds and my family."
Just like a majority of Reds fans in Cincinnati, Suter is already counting the days until Opening Day. He'll get to wear a Reds jersey inside of Great American Ball Park with his own name on the back.
"I'm getting chills just thinking about that right now," Suter said. "Opening Day is so special and to be able to be part of that, maybe pitching the game, who knows, but just to be on the team for that is something else."
Suter grew up in Cincinnati's Anderson Township, where he still lives today with his wife and two sons.
He remembers treating Opening Day like it was a holiday. As did a majority of his classmates.
"We'd be missing half our class sometimes, because everyone would be down at Opening Day during the school day in elementary, middle school and high school. It's super special," he said. "The Reds have a great tradition on Opening Day. Great tradition of baseball excellence and have a huge place in the heart of this city. I'm so glad to be a part of it."
Those Opening Day memories, just part of the collection Suter made growing up a baseball fan in Cincinnati. Sharing special moments with his friends and especially his family.
"Ken Griffey Jr. was my favorite player, and when he got traded to the Reds, I remember my dad and I just ran around the neighborhood with our hands in the air," Suter said. "We were just so excited. We didn't know what to do with ourselves."
He remembered playing against the Reds during the club's 12 game winning streak last season. And even as a member of the opposing team, couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement of watching the city he calls home fall in love with his favorite team all over again.
With eight big league seasons under his belt, Suter brings another veteran presence to a club house that is full of young, talented and hungry players.
Since his debut in 2016, Suter has posted a 2.99 ERA in 212 appearances out of the bullpen. Ideally, the hometown kid will prove to be one of the missing pieces from last year's club, as 2024 Reds look to advance to the postseason and beyond.
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