Five Phillies prospects who could be in majors by end of 2018
By John Town
Ranger Suarez
Ranger Suarez is a pitcher I would actually be very intrigued to see in the majors this season. The lefty broke out in his full-season debut last year, splitting the season between Low-A Lakewood and High-A Clearwater.
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Suarez moved up to Double-A Reading this year and pitched extremely well despite the hitter-friendly confines of his home park. In 12 starts he had a 2.76 ERA, 3.11 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, an 18.2 percent strikeout rate and a meager 6.7 percent walk rate.
Suarez moved up to Triple-A June 26 and made his debut there June 29. He gave up eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings, allowing one run and striking out six.
He suffered a groin injury, but Tom Housenick of the Morning Call said that Suarez could start one of Lehigh Valley’s first games after their All-Star Break.
Suarez could be a September call-up once the major-league roster expands. He could become another lefty option out of the bullpen or make a start or two as starters rest for the postseason.