By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (14-7) are on a roll and trail the New York Mets by just half a game for first place in the NL East. Sure, it's early, but the youthful Phillies have come alive and it is an exciting team to watch with the plethora of up-and-coming talent whether it be Aaron Nola, Nick Pivetta, Scott Kingery or Rhys Hoskins. Don't let the current big league success let you forget that the organization still has a ton of talent in their farm, especially in pitching. Southpaw Ranger Suarez was named Eastern League Player of the Week for the games played from April 16-22.
Suarez, 22, posted a 1.20 ERA with 12 strikeouts and no walks over two starts last week en route to Eastern League honors. After allowing seven runs in his Double-A debut, Suarez settled down over the next three starts. On April 16 against Harrisburg, he hurled eight shutout innings, striking out 10 while scattering six hits.
Ranked as the No. 11 prospect in the Phillies organization, Suarez was promoted to Double-A Reading to start 2018 after posting a combined 2.27 ERA with Class 'A' Lakewood and Advanced 'A' Clearwater last season. He led all Eastern League pitchers in innings pitched (15.0) last week and also ranked among the weekly league leaders in strikeouts (12-tied 3rd), wins (1-tied 5th), WHIP (0.80-6th), and ERA (1.20-7th).
