Ranger Suarez’s story is the kind that baseball dreams are made of. Once an overlooked international signee, he is one of the Philadelphia Phillies’ most dependable arms. The kind of pitcher you want on the mound when everything is on the line. During Game 2 of the NLDS, Suarez was ready, but Rob Thomson made it clear—he would only use the lefty before the sixth inning or if the game went to extras.
Suarez, hence, never took the mound in that sad 5-3 loss. But now all signs point to him being a part of the very important Game 2. Maybe he will be the difference maker that the Phillies really need. Take a closer look at who he really is, his family roots, his career growth, and his rise.
Who Is Ranger Suárez? Early Life and Background
Ranger Suarez’s journey began in a small Venezuelan town, and from there he reached the bright lights of Major League Baseball—and this rise is nothing less than inspiring. He was born on August 26, 1995, in Pie de Cuesta, Venezuela. He had an extremely simple and humble family; his father was a farmer. One interesting fact is that all his siblings and he have names that start with the letter R!
Raymer, Rosmer, and Rangerlin—all have “R,” and it’s a fun little tradition. As a kid, Suarez would split his time between two games—baseball and soccer. He played mostly in the outfield before he found his true calling on the mound when he was just around fifteen years old. His raw talent stood out, and by 2012, at just 16 years old, he signed with the Phillies as an international free agent.
His early professional years were not all that great, and his first season in the Venezuelan Summer League was cut short by a suspension. But he didn’t give up, bounced back, and posted great numbers in the minors. That paved his way for an MLB debut in 2018 against the Reds, where he threw five solid innings to get his first win. Since then, Suarez has become a key piece for the Phillies’ rotation. He played a key role in the Phillies’ World Series run in 2022, too.
Ranger Suárez’s Ethnicity and Family Roots
Ranger was born to Ricardo and Mairin Suarez in Pie de Cuesta, Venezuela, a small town. His mom has always been one of his biggest supporters, even from afar. Due to visa issues, she and the rest of the family were not able to travel to the USA to watch him play, as NBC Sports reported. That made the moment when they finally made it all the more special.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Ranger’s father, Ricardo Suarez, works as a farmer and for the longest time only saw his son pitch on television. According to The Athletic, Ricardo had never witnessed Ranger pitch live until 2024. But then both parents were finally able to see him in person—and that must have been a proud moment. As far as ethnicity goes, both parents and he are proud Venezuelans.