2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #8 LHP Ranger Suarez

Ranger Suarez, image- Jay Floyd

Lefty hurler Ranger Suarez has stood out in recent seasons as a dependable prospect that could have a solid future with the Phillies.

Suarez, who is listed by the Phillies six-foot-one and 210 pounds, was signed at the age of 16 in 2012.

The exciting youngster would make his professional debut as a closer with the Venezuelan Summer League team in 2012. He tossed five scoreless innings and earned two saves in three outings there.

In the following two seasons in the VSL, Suarez posted very solid numbers (5-4 record, 1.66 ERA) in 22 appearances. In 2014 he would transition into a starting role.

Suarez pitched stateside in 2015, competing in extended spring training that year and then sporting a 3-0 record with a tremendous 0.65 ERA in six appearances for the Rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies. He was named the Phils' minor league pitcher of the month in July that year, when he posted a 2-0 record and a 0.79 ERA.

In 2016 with short-season Class A Williamsport, Suarez tallied a 6-4 record with a 2.81 ERA, a 6.5 K/9 mark and a .223 batting average against en route to being named as a New York-Penn League All-Star. He tossed a seven-inning (game one of a double header) no-hitter in which he issued a walk to the game's first batter, induced a double play then retired the final 19 opponents on July 26th that year.

The following season, he opened the season as part of the Class A Lakewood rotation. In 14 starts with the BlueClaws, Suarez would notch a 6-2 record with a 1.59 ERA and a 9.5 K/9 mark and was honored as a mid-season Sally League All-Star. He notched double-digit strike out efforts three times with the 'Claws.

He made the move to Class A Advanced Clearwater, earning a promotion on July 4th. With the Threshers, Suarez sported a 2-4 record with a 3.82 ERA and averaged more than a strike out per inning pitched over eight starts.

Last season, Suarez opened the season with Double-A Reading. With the Fightin Phils in 12 starts he collected a 4-3 record with a 2.76 ERA and a .235 batting average against.

By late June Suarez was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Overall in nine regular season starts with the IronPigs, he tallied a 2-0 record with a 2.74 ERA and a 5.7 K/9 mark.

With needs to fill spots on the pitching staff, at times, at the big league level, Suarez made four separate appearances (three starts) for the Phillies in 2018. In 15 innings of work there, he posted a 1-1 record with a 5.40 ERA, 11 strike outs and six walks issued while surrendering three homers.

The pitch repertoire for Suarez features a fastball (coaches describe him as having "sneaky velocity") that peaks at about 94 MPH and has sinking movement. He also throws a diving curve ball, a slider as well as one of the premiere change-ups in the Phillies system. He touts excellent command with the ability to pitch to both sides of the plate at will and is known as a strike thrower.

Suarez is a guy that doesn't just rely on tools to carry him, as he knows how to pitch intelligently. He is a cool and relaxed competitor that will control the pace on the diamond.

He'll likely return to Lehigh Valley to lead their starting rotation to open the 2019 season. Look for Suarez to be among the Phils' top options to fill any voids on their pitching staff as needs arise this year.

Track this year's complete Phillies top prospects countdown by clicking this link.

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

Bryson Stott, image- Jay Floyd Shortstop Bryson Stott , the Phillies' first round draft selection this year, has enjoyed a successful initial pro campaign. En route to being recognized as an All-Star for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters the 21-year-old UNLV product has tallied a .295 average with six home runs and 25 RBI in 45 minor league contests. Last week I spoke with the lefty hitting Stott to discuss his transition to professional baseball, joining the Phillies organization and plenty more. Read ahead for that interview. -Obviously, your performance and the production on the field is going well, but how do you feel you have adapted to the pro life? It feels good. You hear about the everyday grind, but you don't really believe it till you feel it. I would say that's the difference between college and the pros, is you're not practicing, you're playing games every day. I would say that's the biggest difference. But I...

Patreon Exclusive: Logan O'Hoppe answers Nine Silly-ass Questions

Logan O'Hoppe, image- Jay Floyd Phillies catching prospect Logan O'Hoppe was the subject of a recent player feature I posted here three days early. When I talked with Logan, he was kind enough to not only chat about some serious baseball related topics, he also had some fun with me and answered Nine Silly-Ass Questions! In this interview, the 20-year-old, who was an All-Star with Class A short-season Williamsport last year, offered his thoughts on his experiences playing in Australia last off-season, super powers, some surprising movies he's never seen, teammate Albertus Barber and plenty more. Read ahead for some excerpts from this Silly-ass interview... -You can 4-for-4 and your team loses, or you can get hit in the groin and your team wins...which do you choose? I mean, if we win, then the whole team has a good night, so I have to go with that one. That really benefits everybody. -Tell me, if you can, four words to describe Albertus Barber . One,...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog