Andrew Suarez, LHP. DOB: 9/11/1992. 6'2", 210 lbs.
Rookie: 0-0, 1.80, 5 IP, 10.80 K/9, 1.80 BB/9.
Short Season: 1-0, 1.40, 19.1 IP, 6.98 K/9, 0.93 BB/9.
A+: 1-0, 1.80, 15 IP, 9.60 K/9, 1.20 BB/9.
Suarez was the Giants 2'nd round draft pick in 2015 out of Miami. He had been drafted in round 2 by the Nationals in 2014, but did not sign. He is big for a lefty and pounds the strike zone with a low 90's FB that has reached 95 MPH. He mixes in an advanced slider and changeup to give him a complete 3 pitch mix. Impressively, he did not have any trouble pitching in the Cal League essentially out of the box. In addition to his listed stat lines above, he threw 9 IP in the Cal League playoffs allowing 3 ER with 7 K's and just 1 BB. He'll probably start 2016 in San Jose, but I could see the Giants being aggressive with him and bumping him to AA. His ceiling is probably MLB #3 starter, but he is advanced enough to reach that level quickly. ETA is probably 2018, but again, he could move more quickly than that. He had shoulder labrum surgery as a college freshman but appears to have completely recovered. He missed some time early in the 2015 college season with an oblique strain.
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From what I've read of Suarez (post-draft stuff) he's a true '4-pitch' pitcher - FB, SL, CU, CH. His slider is supposed to be his best pitch, but all of them are reportedly effective as he has advanced command and control for someone of his age and experience and he can spot them for strikes anywhere in the strike zone.
ReplyDeleteThe only real downsides I've read on him is that he's had labrum surgery and an oblique strain. The oblique's not a big deal. But my personal experience with labrum problems is that they can become chronic so it's something to be aware of as a potential de-rail in his development.
The Giants don't take a lot of injury risk high in the draft so this one catches attention. I think the key to Suarez is how hard he will throw while starting. You could say that about all pitchers of course, but as he has flirted with mid-90s heat, he might have a special arm. Definitely one of the top lefties in the system, I think I prefer him to the oft-hyped Mejia who has never really put up the results commiserate with his scouting reports.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Andrew Suarez and Hunter Cole did the most in the organization to improve their stock. They both hit the ground running and impressed over several levels. To see Suarez succeed in an extreme hitters league, albeit a small sample size, is very encouraging. A lefty with all of those tools can be very deadly. I can see him getting an invite to Spring Training in 2017 and possibly a 2017 September call up if he continues this pace. Very excited.
ReplyDeleteSuarez i am very excited about he should be able to climb the ladder quickly maybe a call in 2017?
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