ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School
Arkansas
Drafted in the CB-B round (73rd overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2013 (signed for $600,000).
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Suggs teamed with roommate Barrett Astin in the back of Arkansas' bullpen to lead the Razorbacks to the College World Series last year. This season Astin moved into the weekend rotation, handing Suggs the closer role, and both have thrived. Scouting directors voted Suggs a preseason first-team All-American, then had a bit of a hard time seeing him, as he made just 18 appearances covering 16 innings through early May. He has had command issues throughout his career thanks to a delivery that produces power but features plenty of effort. The 6-foot, 225-pounder has hit 97-98 mph with his fastball and sits in the 93-96 range with heavy life when he's down in the zone. When he leaves it up, the pitch straightens out and gets hittable. His hard breaking ball gives him another swing-and-miss pitch. Some clubs might send him out as a starter to get him innings, smooth out his delivery and see if he can throw more strikes. Others see him as a future power reliever in the third- to fourth-round range.
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The Marlins drafted Suggs in 2013 thinking the former Arkansas relief ace might not be long for the minors. He arrived in pro ball with a power fastball/curveball combo in place and hit some 96 mphs with his fastball in instructional league. He ended his pro debut in the high Class A Florida State League and returned to Jupiter in 2014, but he was a different pitcher. An ultra-aggressive reliever, Suggs didn't adapt well to extended outings. His ERA rose and his strikeout rate fell, and it took until August for the power on his stuff to come back. His fastball sat in the low 90s much of the season, and he couldn't locate it well thanks to the effort in his delivery. Suggs was hitting some 95s in August, and his 11-to-5 power curveball, which can reach the low 80s, remains a solid-average pitch, though he needs to land it more often. The better version of Suggs could still move quickly, with a Double-A Jacksonville test set for 2015. Exteme
Suggs helped Arkansas to the College World Series as a sophomore, then set a school record with 13 saves as the Razorbacks' closer in 2013. He yielded just 44 hits in 80 innings over his college career. The flip side was the 53 walks he surrendered, which the Marlins must straighten out after signing him for $600,000. Suggs is all about power, with his plus fastball sitting in the mid-90s and touching 98 mph with good movement, particularly down in the zone. He also features a hard 85-mph curve that works as an out-pitch. His changeup is well behind his other offerings. He puts a lot of effort into an over-the-top delivery, leading to well-below-average control. He's aggressive and likes to challenge hitters. Suggs needs innings to smooth out his delivery. He'll get them at high Class A Jupiter to open 2014.
Draft Prospects
Suggs teamed with roommate Barrett Astin in the back of Arkansas' bullpen to lead the Razorbacks to the College World Series last year. This season Astin moved into the weekend rotation, handing Suggs the closer role, and both have thrived. Scouting directors voted Suggs a preseason first-team All-American, then had a bit of a hard time seeing him, as he made just 18 appearances covering 16 innings through early May. He has had command issues throughout his career thanks to a delivery that produces power but features plenty of effort. The 6-foot, 225-pounder has hit 97-98 mph with his fastball and sits in the 93-96 range with heavy life when he's down in the zone. When he leaves it up, the pitch straightens out and gets hittable. His hard breaking ball gives him another swing-and-miss pitch. Some clubs might send him out as a starter to get him innings, smooth out his delivery and see if he can throw more strikes. Others see him as a future power reliever in the third- to fourth-round range.
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