Albert Suárez has built a reputation as a versatile pitcher, making his mark in both Major League Baseball and international leagues.
The right-hander just signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles for $825,000, bringing him back to MLB after several successful seasons in Korea.
While pitching for the Samsung Lions, Suárez proved himself as a reliable starter. He even earned a $1.3 million contract for the 2023 season after showing off his consistency.
Suárez’s journey really shows how global baseball has become. He’s thrown effectively in several pro leagues, adapting to different styles and cultures.
The Samsung Lions first signed him in 2021, offering $700,000 guaranteed plus bonuses. That deal highlighted his value overseas.
Now that he’s back in the States, Suárez brings his international experience to the Orioles, hoping to make an impact in the big leagues again.
Early Life and Family Background
Albert Joe Suárez Subero was born on October 8, 1989, in San Felix, Venezuela—a country that lives and breathes baseball.
His early years in Venezuela shaped his path toward pitching professionally.
Family and Upbringing
Albert grew up in a modest Venezuelan household that valued family and hard work.
Not much is out there about his parents, but they played a huge role in supporting his baseball dreams from early on.
In Venezuela, baseball is more than just a pastime—it’s a way of life and, for many, a possible route to a better future.
The Suárez family isn’t related to the famous Uruguayan soccer player Luis Suárez, but they shared the same Venezuelan love for baseball.
Albert spent his childhood in San Felix, Bolívar State, where neighborhood baseball games often happened right on the street with makeshift equipment.
Initial Interest in Baseball
Baseball grabbed Albert’s attention when he was just a kid—pretty typical in Venezuela, where children often pick up the game before they even start school.
The country’s baseball infrastructure isn’t as developed as in the U.S., but it still offers enough for talented kids to shine.
By his early teens, Suárez was already showing serious promise as a pitcher.
Scouts started to notice his natural ability and focus. Venezuela’s reputation for producing top pitchers meant Albert had chances to show off his skills.
Before he got the nickname “Chiguire” (named after a Venezuelan rodent), young Albert worked on his pitching in local leagues, building the control and calmness that would later define his career.
Professional Baseball Career
Albert Suárez has built a wide-ranging baseball career, pitching for teams in both the U.S. and abroad.
He’s shown he can adapt, whether he’s in the minors, majors, or overseas.
Major League Debut and Breakthrough
Suárez started his pro career back in 2008 in the minors. Getting to the majors took years of grinding and developing his skills.
He eventually debuted in MLB with the San Francisco Giants, where he pitched as both a starter and reliever.
His flexibility on the mound made him a valuable asset early on.
During his best season, Suárez showed solid command and kept his ERA respectable, proving he could hold his own at the highest level.
Teams noticed his adaptability, and that opened doors across different organizations.
Teams Played For
Over the years, Suárez has suited up for several teams.
Most recently, he joined the Baltimore Orioles in 2023 on a one-year, $825,000 contract.
Before that, he went international, signing with the Samsung Lions in Korea for up to $1 million.
His professional journey has taken him through different MLB organizations, where he kept learning and adapting to new pitching philosophies.
Key Career Highlights
Born on October 8, 1989, in San Felix, Venezuela, Suárez—nicknamed “Chiguire”—has collected some impressive highlights along the way.
His MLB profile lists him as #49 with the Orioles.
Suárez has come through in clutch moments, showing poise when the pressure’s on.
He’s managed to limit home runs and keep his cool in tough spots, which has helped him stick around in pro baseball.
His stats tell the story of a pitcher who’s learned and grown over time, using experience to outsmart hitters.
Contract Details and Negotiations
Albert Suárez has navigated a range of contracts throughout his career, moving between the minors, majors, and international leagues.
His earnings have grown as he’s proven himself in different settings.
Signing Bonus and Earnings
Suárez’s latest MLB contract is a one-year, $825,000 deal with the Orioles for the 2024 season.
That’s a solid step up for him.
While in Korea, he landed a more lucrative contract with the Samsung Lions in the KBO.
That deal was worth $1 million for one year, with a $100,000 signing bonus, $700,000 guaranteed, and $200,000 in incentives.
Compared to MLB’s top pitchers, who make $30-40 million annually, Suárez’s earnings are modest. But for a depth pitcher, he’s done well.
Negotiation History
Suárez has shown resilience in negotiations.
When the San Francisco Giants non-tendered him in December 2017, he re-signed a minor league deal just nine days later, showing he was willing to prove himself again.
Moving to Korea with the Samsung Lions was a smart move.
He secured a much better payday than he would’ve gotten in the U.S. minors.
The Orioles picked him up after his strong run overseas, a sign that his international success boosted his value.
They selected his contract from Norfolk Tides (Triple-A) in 2024, bringing him back to the majors.
Contract Duration and Terms
Suárez has mostly signed one-year deals, which gives both him and the teams some flexibility.
His $825,000 Orioles contract is fully guaranteed for 2024, offering some financial stability.
That salary puts him around the MLB minimum, which fits for a player coming back from overseas.
His KBO contract included up to $200,000 in performance bonuses, giving him a shot to earn more if he pitched well.
Teams have likely included standard clauses for options and minor league assignments.
For example, the Orioles first sent him to Norfolk before calling him up to the big league roster.
Albert Suárez Net Worth and Financial Profile
Albert Suárez has built up a modest net worth through his baseball career, which has taken him from Venezuela to the U.S. and South Korea.
His earnings reflect a steady climb through various leagues.
Estimated Net Worth
Suárez’s net worth sits somewhere between $3-5 million, based on his contracts in MLB and overseas.
He’s kept a steady income, though he’s nowhere near the mega-wealth of MLB’s biggest stars.
His stint in the KBO gave his finances a nice boost, since international players often get higher salaries there.
Sources of Income
Most of Suárez’s money comes from his baseball contracts.
His latest MLB deal is a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Orioles, marking his return to the majors.
Before that, he earned well in Korea with the Samsung Lions.
He signed a $1 million contract for 2022, which included:
- $700,000 base salary
- $100,000 signing bonus
- $200,000 in incentives
He re-signed for $1.3 million for 2023 with Samsung, showing the team valued his contributions.
Endorsements and Sponsorships
Suárez doesn’t have the big endorsement deals you see with MLB stars.
As a journeyman who’s bounced between leagues, he hasn’t had many marketing opportunities.
In South Korea, he probably picked up some local endorsements—foreign players are a draw there and sometimes get equipment deals or appear in ads.
Now that he’s back in MLB with the Orioles, he might see more chances for endorsements, especially if he pitches well.
Most players in his position usually have deals with gear companies for gloves, cleats, and apparel.
Notable Achievements and Legacy
Albert Suárez has left his mark in pro baseball, earning respect as a steady, reliable pitcher.
He’s posted solid stats and come up big when his teams needed him.
Awards and Honors
While Suárez hasn’t won the big awards like Cy Young or MVP, he’s had some standout moments.
His best statistical run came after the All-Star break with the Orioles, when he posted a 2.34 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 12 starts.
That was a big jump from his numbers before the break (3.56 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in 15 starts), showing he knows how to adjust and improve as the season goes on.
He might not be a household name like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani, but his consistency and work ethic have made him a valuable piece for teams like the Orioles.
Influence in Major League Baseball
Albert Suárez, a Venezuelan professional pitcher, has really added to the strong tradition of Latin American players in MLB.
His journey from Venezuela to the majors? It inspires a lot of young international players who dream of making it big in baseball.
You won’t just see Suárez’s influence show up in his own stats.
He brings stability to the Orioles’ rotation and has kept their pitching staff steady during some pretty important stretches.
With his $825,000 contract in Baltimore, the team gets a solid deal for a pitcher who actually contributes.
He doesn’t put up the kind of power numbers or OPS figures that sluggers like Albert Pujols or Juan Soto do.
Still, Suárez’s work on the mound has played a key role in his team’s success.
In Popular Culture and Media
You probably won’t see Albert Suárez all over the headlines, but he has managed to keep a modest media presence during his career in both MLB and international leagues.
His Venezuelan roots and the way he’s bounced around different teams have caught the eye of sports documentaries and a few media outlets.
Documentary Series and Media Appearances
The baseball documentary series “Journey to the Show” featured Suárez in a minor segment.
They focused on international players making it to the big leagues and spent a little time on his Venezuelan background and his path to the Baltimore Orioles.
When Suárez pitched for the Samsung Lions in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), local sports networks often interviewed him about how he was adjusting to Korean baseball culture.
Those interviews really helped boost his popularity in Asia.
Now and then, when he heads back to Venezuela in the offseason, Suárez shows up on local sports programs to talk about what it’s like playing pro ball abroad.
Connections with Other Sports Figures
Suárez isn’t quite as famous as some other Venezuelan athletes, but he’s still built some real connections with big names in sports. He’s joined forces with other Venezuelan MLB players at charity events, doing his part to support youth baseball back home.
He’s said in interviews that Lionel Messi’s international success inspires him. Suárez especially admires how Messi adapted to new leagues and cultures—something he’s tried to learn from.
While Suárez played for the Los Angeles Angels, he became friends with a few teammates who later made a name for themselves in the MLB. Sometimes, these friendships have landed him in the spotlight during reunions or when they get together for charity.
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