José Suarez – Los Angeles Angels Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

José Suarez was born January 3, 1998, in Naguanagua, Venezuela. Since his MLB debut on June 2, 2019, he’s been trying to make his mark with the Los Angeles Angels.

The lefty, known as “Ranciss,” has mixed flashes of promise with plenty of grit. His journey from Venezuela to pro baseball really speaks to the dreams so many young Latin American players have.

José Suarez currently earns a salary of $925,000 after the Angels won their salary arbitration case against him in 2024, where he had requested $1.35 million. This comes after a $1.1 million contract the previous season, so he’s actually making a bit less now. The arbitration hearing—handled by Joshua Gordon, Walt De Treux, and Howard Edelman—shows just how tricky the business side of baseball can get.

Even though he’s still early in his career, Suarez has built up a net worth estimated at $2,274,191, mostly from his baseball paychecks. At just 27, his financial future really depends on how he pitches in the next few years and whether he can land a better contract.

Fans of the Angels and anyone who loves baseball should probably keep an eye on where his career goes from here.

José Suarez: Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

José Rances Suárez Quintero started chasing professional baseball in Venezuela. His natural ability and determination eventually opened the door to the majors.

He developed as a left-handed pitcher, and that arm quickly became his trademark.

Early Years and Family Background

Suarez was born on January 3, 1998, in Naguanagua, Venezuela. In his country, baseball isn’t just a pastime—it’s a shot at a better future.

He stands 5’10” and weighs 225 pounds. Sure, he doesn’t have the classic pitcher’s build, but his skills have always helped him make up for that.

There’s not much out there about his immediate family. Still, like many Venezuelan ballplayers, he probably relied a lot on his support system growing up.

The tough economic and political climate in Venezuela during his childhood might have pushed him even harder to succeed. Naguanagua, his hometown in Carabobo State, has produced a handful of pro players, so he grew up in a place that knows how to nurture baseball talent.

Path to Professional Baseball

Scouts started noticing Suarez as a teenager. His left-handed pitching made him especially valuable since teams are always hunting for southpaws.

The Los Angeles Angels signed him as an international free agent. They saw potential in him, even though he wasn’t the biggest guy on the mound.

The Angels organization has a good track record with Venezuelan talent, so it seemed like a good match.

Suarez worked through the Angels’ minor league system. Those years in the minors really shaped his pitching mechanics and helped him build up the stamina he’d need as a pro.

In 2023, he joined the Atlanta Braves organization, opening a new chapter in his baseball story.

Amateur Highlights

Before turning pro, Suarez stood out in Venezuela’s youth leagues. He could throw with control and mix up his pitches, which set him apart from other young pitchers.

Baseball academies in Venezuela probably played a role in his growth. These academies focus on skill and also teach the mental side of the game.

Suarez’s advanced pitching IQ showed up early. Scouts loved his changeup, which later became one of his calling cards in pro ball.

By his mid-teens, he’d already put together the core of his pitch mix. That helped him earn the nickname “Ranciss” and eventually a spot on an MLB roster, making his debut on June 2, 2019.

Professional Career with the Angels

José Suarez has played a key role in the Los Angeles Angels’ pitching staff since his debut. He’s shown flashes of real promise, but he’s also had to deal with his share of setbacks, especially with injuries.

Major League Debut

Suarez made his MLB debut for the Angels on June 2, 2019. At just 21, he took the mound against the Seattle Mariners and pitched 5.2 innings, giving up three runs and striking out four.

He arrived with a fair bit of buzz after moving quickly through the Angels’ minor league system. The team needed young arms, so he got his shot.

In his rookie season, Suarez appeared in 19 games (15 starts) and put up a 7.11 ERA over 81 innings. Those numbers weren’t great, but the Angels saw something in him and kept him in the mix for the future.

Notable Performances and Milestones

One of Suarez’s best outings came on August 31, 2022, when he threw a complete game one-hit shutout against the Oakland Athletics. He fanned eight and didn’t walk anyone—a pretty dominant performance.

His 2022 season was his most consistent so far. He finished with a 4.19 ERA over 109 innings and struck out 101 batters.

He built a good rapport with Shohei Ohtani, who often praised Suarez’s progress.

In 2023, Suarez notched his 350th career strikeout. He’s had several games with 8 or more strikeouts, thanks to his knack for mixing pitches.

His career ERA sits at 4.96, which shows he’s had ups and downs. But when he’s locked in, he can be a solid starter.

Fans and coaches have watched his development closely, especially alongside fellow young pitcher Griffin Canning.

Key Teammates and Influences

Shohei Ohtani influenced Suarez quite a bit during their time together. They often talked pitching strategy, and Suarez picked up some of Ohtani’s ideas about attacking hitters.

Veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki helped Suarez a lot, especially with pitch selection and how to approach different hitters. That guidance was key during some of Suarez’s tougher stretches.

In the bullpen, Suarez bonded with other Latin American pitchers, which gave him a supportive environment. Third baseman Gio Urshela helped him adjust to big league life in 2023.

Hunter Renfroe, while with the Angels, often encouraged Suarez after rough outings. That kind of team-first attitude made a difference during challenging periods.

Injuries and Comebacks

Suarez has dealt with several injuries since joining the Angels. In 2021, shoulder inflammation limited him to just 14 appearances.

The Angels’ medical staff managed his recovery carefully. In 2023, he landed on the injured list again with a shoulder strain in May.

He came back in July but had trouble finding his form, finishing the season with a 6.02 ERA over 52.1 innings.

His contract situation took a hit because of these health issues. After arbitration, he ended up with $925,000 instead of the $1.35 million he’d asked for in 2024.

Even with these setbacks, Suarez has shown serious resilience. Coaches have praised his work ethic during rehab, and they still believe he has untapped potential.

Contract History and Terms

José Suarez has had to figure out the complicated world of MLB contracts since joining the Angels. His earnings have changed as he’s moved through different stages of his career.

Initial Signing and Signing Bonus

Suarez started his pro journey when he signed with the Angels as an international free agent. He didn’t get a big signing bonus or much hype at first.

The Angels saw something in him, even though details about his initial contract aren’t widely known. That’s pretty common for international prospects who aren’t considered top-tier at the time.

He worked his way through the minors, earning near the league minimum as he developed. Those were his most cost-controlled years.

Contract Extensions and Arbitration

When Suarez became arbitration-eligible, it was a big step for his earnings. In the 2024 offseason, he and the Angels couldn’t agree on salary, so they went to a hearing.

The Angels offered $925,000, while Suarez’s camp wanted $1.35 million. The team won, so he got the lower figure.

He did get a raise for 2025, signing a 1-year, $1.1 million deal.

So far, Suarez hasn’t signed a long-term extension. He’s just gone year to year through the typical arbitration process, which means small annual raises but no big commitment.

This also keeps his free agency timeline open.

Free Agency Status

Suarez hasn’t reached free agency yet. The Angels still control his rights until he gets enough service time to hit the open market.

Most MLB players need six full years of service to qualify for free agency. Since Suarez debuted in 2019, he’s still working toward that mark.

His path is pretty standard: league minimum early on, then arbitration years, and finally free agency if all goes well.

If nothing changes with MLB’s rules, he could become a free agent in the next few years. That’ll be his first real chance to see what he’s worth on the open market.

Salary Trends and Comparisons

Suarez’s salary has followed the usual path for a mid-level MLB pitcher. He started near the league minimum and has gotten modest bumps through arbitration.

His current salary of $1.1 million is pretty solid for where he’s at, though it’s still below what established starters make.

Some sources list his salary as $750,000 and his net worth at $2.27 million. The numbers vary depending on where you look, but either way, he’s not pulling in superstar money yet.

Compared to other pitchers with similar experience and stats, Suarez’s pay is right in the expected range. Lefties who can both start and relieve usually get reasonable salaries in arbitration, just not the big bucks.

His future earnings will depend a lot on how he pitches in the next couple of seasons, and whether the Angels decide to lock him up with a longer deal.

Career Statistics and On-Field Impact

José Suarez has delivered mixed results so far in his MLB career. His pitching stats show both clear potential and some rough patches.

His numbers tell the story of a left-handed pitcher still trying to find his place in a tough league.

Pitching Performance and ERA

Suarez’s ERA numbers have bounced around a lot over his career. According to MLB statistics, his ERA usually sits in the mid-4.00s, but it’s been all over the place depending on the season.

He struggled in 2023, finishing with an ERA above 5.00. That year, he just couldn’t find much consistency on the mound.

In 2025, though, he’s shown some improvement. Baseball Savant says his average exit velocity is 91.3 mph with a hard hit percentage of 55.6%.

Hitters make solid contact when they connect, so he hasn’t exactly turned into an ace overnight.

He leans on an effective changeup, which has always been his best pitch. His fastball usually sits in the low-90s—not overpowering, but it gets the job done at times.

Runs Allowed and Batting Average Against

Suarez has struggled to keep runs off the board throughout his career. In 2025, his wOBA is .315, but his expected xwOBA jumps to .391.

That gap suggests he’s been a bit lucky, even though hitters are making hard contact.

His barrel percentage of 16.7% in 2025 doesn’t look good. A high barrel rate means hitters are squaring him up more often than you’d like.

That definitely helps explain why he’s had trouble limiting runs lately.

Opposing batters usually hit in the mid-.200s against him, though it changes from season to season.

Against righties and lefties, he shows the typical splits you’d expect from a left-handed pitcher.

Awards and All-Star Selections

Suarez hasn’t picked up any major individual awards in his MLB career so far. He hasn’t made an All-Star team, but you can see flashes of potential that make you wonder if he might get there someday.

One highlight stands out—he earned his first career save against Minnesota, throwing three scoreless innings and striking out four. That game showed his versatility and hinted at the value he brings in different pitching roles.

He hasn’t collected big-time honors, but he’s helped his teams by working as both a starter and reliever. That kind of flexibility matters, even if it doesn’t come with a trophy.

Net Worth, Endorsements, and Personal Endeavors

José Suarez has built up some financial stability through his baseball career, and he’s started to explore opportunities off the field too.

His earnings reflect his growth as a pro in Major League Baseball, with room for more as his career moves forward.

Estimated Net Worth

As of 2024, José Suarez has put together a net worth of about $2.27 million. Most of that comes from his baseball paychecks since he debuted with the Los Angeles Angels.

His financial picture has improved steadily as he’s signed new contracts.

Right now, Suarez earns $1.1 million a year with the Angels. That’s a solid number for an established big leaguer, though it’s not close to what the top players earn.

His net worth should keep growing if he lands longer contracts or performance bonuses in the future.

Sponsorships and Endorsement Deals

Suarez hasn’t really jumped into the endorsement world like some MLB stars. His portfolio is pretty modest compared to the big names.

He’s stuck mostly to baseball-related partnerships—think equipment deals with sporting goods brands. You’ll see him using and promoting gloves, cleats, and other gear during games and practice.

If he puts together a strong season or two, his endorsement potential could grow. Local partnerships in the cities where he plays seem like the most likely next step.

Investments and Off-Field Ventures

Suarez takes a careful approach to investing, focusing on financial security instead of high-risk moves. He’s not one of those athletes who rushes into business ventures.

His financial advisors probably steer him toward traditional investments that offer long-term stability. That makes sense, given how unpredictable baseball careers can be and how short the earning window often is. Uncertainty is just part of the job.

As his career goes on, he might branch out and try more diverse investments or business projects. A lot of MLB players eventually use their earnings and connections to build something for life after baseball.

Controversies and Off-Field News

José Suarez’s career hasn’t been free of scrutiny, even though he’s still pretty young for a major leaguer. While he’s mostly focused on pitching, a few situations have brought attention his way off the field.

Investigations and Public Scrutiny

Suarez has kept a pretty low profile when it comes to investigations or legal trouble. The Angels keep a close watch on their young pitchers, and so far Suarez has avoided the controversies that sometimes follow athletes with sudden fame and money.

He moved through the Angels’ farm system under the usual scrutiny that international prospects face, but nothing ever suggested improper behavior or contract issues.

Unlike some Latin American players who deal with questions about their age or documents, Suarez’s path to the majors has been straightforward.

The Angels sometimes review player development, and Suarez gets included in those evaluations. But that’s just standard practice—not a response to anything he’s done wrong.

Permitting and Conflict of Interest Issues

Suarez hasn’t had any known problems with permits or conflicts of interest during his pro baseball career. Some players run into trouble with work visas or travel permissions, but Suarez has kept his paperwork in order.

His contract situations with the Angels have been above board, with his latest deal at $1,100,000 for a single year.

That relatively modest contract keeps him out of the financial spotlight that follows some of the league’s biggest earners.

The Angels have drawn clear lines around Suarez’s role and responsibilities. That’s helped avoid the conflicts that sometimes pop up with player endorsements or outside business interests.

Public Statements and Media Coverage

Suarez keeps a pretty low profile in the media compared to some of baseball’s flashier stars. When he does speak publicly, he usually talks about his pitching and how he helps the team. He tends to steer clear of controversy or politics.

Every now and then, the young Venezuelan pitcher opens up about his journey and financial situation. Reports say his net worth sits around $2.27 million. He keeps these conversations focused on what he earns from baseball, not on side businesses or endorsement deals.

Most of the time, the media just talks about Suarez’s performance on the field. Analysts break down his pitching mechanics, stats, and what he might do next. You don’t really see stories about him getting into trouble or making headlines for things outside of baseball.

Honestly, Suarez seems determined to let his game speak for itself. That’s probably why his public image has stayed so focused on baseball throughout his career.