It was only four years ago that Ranger Suarez, at age 18, started 14 games for the Phillies’ affiliate in the Venezuelan Summer League. Across those 14 starts, Suarez threw 80.2 innings and carried a 1.56 ERA. But the statistics that caught everyone’s eye were Suarez’s 78 strikeouts and one walk.
Those numbers are unprecedented at any level, never mind for an 18-year-old left-hander in the VSL.
Now, four years older and in his fourth full season stateside, Ranger Suarez is making his major league debut tonight in Cincinnati against the Reds.