San Francisco Giants: Andrew Suarez heading to Japan

There was a time when Andrew Suarez appeared to be a building block for the San Francisco Giants. He had put together a solid rookie campaign in 2018, generating plenty of ground balls while displaying the potential to be a solid back of the rotation arm. However, he was unable to replicate that success in the following years, leading to his contract being purchased by the LG Twins in the Korean Baseball Organization for the 2021 campaign.

After a strong showing in the KBO, Suarez is taking the next step in a possible return to the majors. He has signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball for his first season in Japan.

Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Andrew Suarez heading to Japan

Suarez had a solid rookie year for the Giants back in 2018, posting a 4.49 ERA and a 1.297 WHiP in his 160.1 innings. While he struck out just 130 batters, he issued only 45 walks while generating ground balls on 57.1% of balls put in play. He may not have been a future star, but he appeared to be a solid piece for the back of the Giants rotation.

That would prove to be the high point of his time in the majors. Suarez pitched just 42.1 innings in 2019 and 2020, posting a 5.31 ERA and a 1.606 WHiP, striking out 30 batters with 20 walks. He had essentially pitched his way out of the Giants’ plans before being sold to the LG Twins.

His year in the KBO worked out as well as anyone could have hoped. He posted an excellent 10-2 record with a 2.18 ERA and a 1.145 WHiP in his 115.1 innings, striking out 126 batters with 41 walks. Perhaps his most impressive stat was that he allowed only four homers over the course of the season.

With that performance, Suarez may have been able to find a major league offer. Instead, he is taking the safer route and heading to Japan, where another season similar to how he performed for the LG Twins would allow him to be viewed as a major league caliber asset once more.

Andrew Suarez has signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. If he has a strong showing in Japan, he may be able to return to the majors in 2023.