Suarez to Return to 'Canes Baseball in 2015

Courtesy UM

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- University of Miami lefthander Andrew Suarez, selected by the Washington Nationals in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, will return to the Hurricanes for the 2015 season.

Suarez, drafted by Washington with the 57^th overall pick, earned third-team All-ACC recognition this past spring. The Miami, Fla., native ended his redshirt sophomore season with a 2.95 ERA in 109.2 innings, and struck out 87 batters compared to just 15 walks.

The deadline for 2014 draft picks to sign was Friday, July 18 at 5 p.m.

“I’m really excited to come back to Miami,” Suarez said. “First, I get to graduate with a college degree, which was the most important part of my decision to return. And I get to play in front of my family and friends for one more year, which is exciting.”

Suarez, who led the veteran staff in innings pitched, helped power Miami’s weekend rotation to a combined 23-6 record and 2.77 ERA.  With the departure of three of the team’s four regular starting pitchers, Suarez will serve as Miami’s top returning starter in 2015.

“Being the veteran of the staff is an honor,” Suarez said. “I get to lead by example, and hopefully I can help the young guys mature just like the older guys helped me when I first got here.”

Suarez said the chance to lead Miami to Omaha, Neb., and the College World Series was pivotal in his decision.

“We have unfinished business to take care of, and that’s the main goal for this season,” Suarez said. “It’s time to go back to Omaha.”