Andrew Susac

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Andrew Susac

|image = MG 4844 Andrew Susac.jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Susac with the San Francisco Giants

|position = Catcher

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|3|22}}

|birth_place = Roseville, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = July 26

|debutyear = 2014

|debutteam = San Francisco Giants

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = September 27

|finalyear = 2020

|finalteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .219

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 7

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 35

|teams =

San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2018}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2020}})

| awards =

World Series champion ({{wsy|2014}})

}}

Andrew John Susac (born March 22, 1990) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Susac played college baseball at Oregon State University.

Career

=Amateur=

Susac attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California, where he played for the school's baseball team as a catcher. He signed a letter of intent with Oregon State University to play college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers baseball team, but was also coveted by Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations.{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Joe |url=http://blogs.sacbee.com/preps/archives/2009/05/susac-dazzles-a.html |title=Prep Blog: Susac dazzles as Jesuit downs Fairfield in D-I baseball |work=Sacramento Bee |date=May 18, 2009 |access-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115165728/http://blogs.sacbee.com/preps/archives/2009/05/susac-dazzles-a.html |archive-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Baseball America rated Susac as the 40th-best available player in the upcoming 2009 MLB Draft.{{cite web|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbeaversbeat/2009/08/andrew_susac_the_wouldbe_duck.html|title=Andrew Susac, the would-be Duck, eager to get started as Oregon State's catcher|last=Prince|first=Seth|date=August 5, 2009|publisher=|work=The Oregonian|access-date=January 14, 2014}} After Susac graduated from Jesuit, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Susac in the 16th round of the draft. Susac opted not to sign, instead enrolling at Oregon State.{{cite web|url=http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/64060412/giants-prospect-susac-shows-progress-at-catcher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619103558/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/64060412/giants-prospect-susac-shows-progress-at-catcher |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |title=Giants prospect Susac shows progress at catcher |work=MLB.com |first=Bernie |last=Pleskoff |date=November 20, 2013 |access-date=January 14, 2014}} In 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=56521&seasonid=239 |title=#10 Andrew Susac |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://capecodbaseball.org/news/asgnews/index.html?article_id=520 |title=West All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2010 |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |access-date=May 6, 2020}}

File:Andrew Susac on May 31, 2013.jpg in 2013]]

=San Francisco Giants=

Eligible for the 2011 MLB Draft, the San Francisco Giants selected Susac in the second round. Susac signed with the Giants, receiving a $1.1 million signing bonus.{{cite web|url=http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149964|title=Former Jesuit catcher Andrew Susac signs with Giants|last=Davidson|first=Joe|date=August 16, 2011|publisher=San Francisco Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116093318/http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149964|archive-date=January 16, 2014|work=Sacramento Bee|access-date=January 14, 2014}} The Giants assigned Susac to the San Jose Giants of the Class A-Advanced California League in 2012 and the Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Class AA Eastern League in 2013. He hit .256 in Richmond with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs, earning an Eastern League All-Star selection,{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-51841702 |title=Squirrels Send Five to Eastern League All-Star Game |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=Minor League Baseball}} and was invited to the Arizona Fall League, where he adjusted his swing and improved to hit .360 with two home runs and 11 walks in 17 games.{{cite news |url=http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mlb/san-francisco-giants/article2592518.html |title=Giants prospect Andrew Susac hopes to be a hit with new swing |first=Matt |last=Kawahara |date=March 5, 2014 |work=Sacramento Bee}} Susac was listed as MLB.com's #3 prospect in the Giants organization for 2014.{{cite web |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2014/index.jsp?c_id=sf#list=sf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523042116/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2014/index.jsp?c_id=sf#list=sf |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 23, 2014 |title=2014 Prospect Watch |work=MLB.com}} Susac began the 2014 season with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL), where he batted .268 in 63 games through July 26.

The Giants called Susac up to the major league club late on July 25, 2014, to replace backup catcher Héctor Sánchez after Sánchez showed concussion symptoms.{{cite news |url=http://www.thepresstribune.com/article/7/26/14/roseville-native-andrew-susac-called-san-francisco-giants |title=Roseville native Andrew Susac called up to the San Francisco Giants |first=Ike |last=Dodson |date=July 26, 2014 |work=Roseville Press Tribune}}{{cite news |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2014/07/andrew_susac_becomes_latest_or.html |title=Andrew Susac becomes latest Oregon State baseball player to play in Majors |date=July 28, 2014 |work=Oregon State Beavers Athletics |publisher=The Oregonian}}{{cite news |work=MLB.com |url=http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/86458426/no-3-prospect-susac-called-as-sanchez-hits-dl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031034821/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/86458426/no-3-prospect-susac-called-as-sanchez-hits-dl |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |title=No. 3 prospect Susac called as Sanchez hits DL |first=Ryan |last=Hood |date=July 27, 2014}} Susac flew to San Francisco the next morning and played his first MLB game that evening vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, grounding out to third base in a single at-bat against Clayton Kershaw who shut out the Giants that day. Susac got his first major league hit, a single, on July 30, 2014,{{cite web|url=http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/30/6594569/after-too-many-0-fers-giants-andrew.html|title=After too many 0-fer's, Giants, Andrew Susac get the job done against Pirates|first=Matt|last=Kawahara|date=July 30, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2014|work=The Sacramento Bee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803010724/http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/30/6594569/after-too-many-0-fers-giants-andrew.html|archive-date=August 3, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=340730126|title=Giants benefit from Pirates' blunder, end skid at 6|agency=Associated Press|date=July 30, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2014}} and his first major-league home run (a two-run homer) at Wrigley Field against Chicago Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson on August 20, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_20_sfnmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=box|title=Box Score: Giants 8, Cubs 3 |work=MLB.com |date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2014}}

However, Susac later played in the September 1 continuation of the Giants vs. Colorado Rockies game from May 22 (over three months earlier), which was suspended by rain, and due to MLB's record-keeping rules, May 22 is the date given for his official MLB debut.{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/the-curious-case-of-giants-rookie-andrew-susac-s--first--mlb-hit-074311960.html |title=The curious case of Giants rookie Andrew Susac's 'first' MLB hit |first=Mike |last=Oz |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=September 2, 2014}} Susac also singled to left field and was later driven home by a double from Hunter Pence.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_05_22_sfnmlb_colmlb_1&mode=plays |title=Play-by-play: Giants 4, Rockies 2 |date=May 22, 2014 |work=MLB.com}} Because the game was a continuation, May 22 is also the official date for Susac's first hit and first run scored, and with a swinging strikeout later in the same game his batting average was briefly .500.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_05_22_sfnmlb_colmlb_1&mode=box |title=Box Score: Giants 4, Rockies 2 |date=May 22, 2014 |work=MLB.com}} Susac finished the regular season with three home runs and 19 RBIs, batting .273 in 35 games played.

Susac was the Giants' backup catcher behind Buster Posey during the 2014 postseason. He appeared in four games, batting 1-for-4 (.250) as the Giants won the 2014 World Series.

In 2015, Susac was the only Giants prospect in Baseball America's top 100 list.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/03/29/giants-option-andrew-susac-juan-perez-among-flurry-roster-cuts/ |title=UPDATED: Giants option Andrew Susac, Juan Perez among flurry of roster cuts |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |date=March 29, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News}} However, he was set back in Spring Training with a tooth infection and wrist injury and subsequently started the season with the Sacramento River Cats of the PCL.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/03/29/giants-option-andrew-susac-juan-perez-among-flurry-roster-cuts/ |title=Bochy explains decisions to send Strickland, Susac, Perez to Triple-A Sacramento |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |date=March 29, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News}} Susac was called up to the Giants on April 18 when Jake Peavy went on the disabled list.{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-probable-pitchers-April-19-21-6209092.php |title=Jake Peavy goes on Giants' DL, Susac recalled |first=John |last=Shea |date=April 18, 2015 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}} On June 27, Susac hit a bases-loaded double that drove in three runs and helped the Giants come from behind to defeat the Colorado Rockies 7–5.{{cite news |url=http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/133317422/buster-posey-andrew-susac-get-big-hits |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701001103/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/133317422/buster-posey-andrew-susac-get-big-hits |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |title=Posey, Susac provide punch for Giants |first=Oliver |last=Macklin |date=June 27, 2015 |work=MLB.com}} In late June, Susac was named the Giants' regular catcher as the team dealt with outfield injuries that pushed Buster Posey to first base and Brandon Belt to left field.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/06/27/lincecum-knocked-out-by-line-drive-but-posey-and-the-rookies-lead-giants-back-against-rockies/ |title=UPDATED: Lincecum's pitching arm bruised by line drive, Susac emerges as regular catcher after powering Giants to comeback win |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |date=June 27, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News}}

On July 18, Susac sprained his right thumb while sliding into third base and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/07/19/giants-notes-andrew-susac-on-dl-but-mri-brings-good-news-hector-sanchez-returns-etc/ |title=Giants notes: Andrew Susac on DL but MRI brings good news, Hector Sanchez returns, etc. |date=July 19, 2015 |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |work=San Jose Mercury News}} Susac was activated on August 17,{{cite news |url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/08/17/giants-activate-andrew-susac-from-disabled-list/ |title=Giants activate Andrew Susac from disabled list |first=D.J. |last=Short |work=NBC Sports |date=August 17, 2015}} but was shut down for the season on September 5 due to lingering effects from the wrist sprain suffered in Spring Training.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/09/05/extra-baggs-giants-have-a-jam-session-behind-the-plate-andrew-susacs-season-is-over-a-first-for-nick-noonan-nolan-arenado-is-the-man-etc/ |title=Extra Baggs: Giants have a jam session behind the plate, the reason why Andrew Susac's season is over, a first for Nick Noonan, Nolan Arenado is the Man, etc. |first=Andrew |last= Baggarly |work=San Jose Mercury News |date=September 5, 2015}} He underwent surgery on his wrist to remove bone fragments and address inflammation.{{cite news |url=http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mlb/san-francisco-giants/article63949657.html |title= Giants' Andrew Susac hopes to rebound from wrist surgery |first=Matt |last=Kawahara |date=March 3, 2016 |work=The Sacramento Bee}} In 2015, Susac appeared in 52 games, batting .218/.297/.368 with 3 home runs and 14 RBIs.

During spring training, Susac was set back by his sore right wrist and was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to start the season.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2016/03/28/giants-option-andrew-susac-triple-bochy-confident-chris-heston-etc/ |title=Giants option Andrew Susac to Triple-A, Bochy confident in Chris Heston, etc. |first=Andrew |last=Baggarly |date=March 28, 2016 |work=Bay Area News Group}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On August 1, 2016, Susac was traded along with the Giants top minor league prospect and 2015 First Round draft pick pitcher Phil Bickford to the Milwaukee Brewers for relief pitcher Will Smith.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2016/08/01/giants-pay-steep-price-acquire-reliever-will-smith-brewers/|title=Giants pay steep price, acquire reliever Will Smith from Brewers |date=August 1, 2016|work=San Jose Mercury News|access-date=August 1, 2016}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On February 2, 2018, Susac was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/brewers-trade-andrew-susac-orioles.html|title=Orioles Acquire Andrew Susac|work=mlb trade rumors|date=February 2, 2018 }} He played in nine games for Baltimore during the year, going 3–for–26 (.115) with no home runs or RBI. Susac was designated for assignment on January 11, 2019, after the Orioles claimed Hanser Alberto off waivers from the New York Yankees.[http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2019/01/orioles-claim-hanser-alberto-off-waivers.html Kubatko, Roch. "Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers," Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), Friday, January 11, 2019.] Retrieved January 11, 2019 He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple–A Norfolk Tides on January 18.

=Kansas City Royals=

On April 2, 2019, Susac was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/andrew-susac-traded-to-royals|title=Orioles trade catcher Susac to Royals|website=MLB.com}} In 26 games for the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers, he batted .234/.366/.442 with 4 home runs, 15 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. Susac became a free agent following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On January 31, 2020, Susac signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was not immediately assigned to an affiliate as a result of the minor league season being cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=March 17, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}} On September 27, Susac was selected to the 40-man and active rosters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/minor-mlb-transactions-92720.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 9/27/20|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 27, 2020 }} He appeared in one game against the Cleveland Indians, going 0–for–2 with two walks. Susac was outrighted off of the 40-man roster three days later on September 30.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/andrew-susac-572180|title=Andrew Susac Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}}

Susac re-signed with Pittsburgh on a new minor league contract on November 2, 2020. He spent the 2021 season with the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, playing in only 11 games and hitting .222/.300/.444 with two home runs and three RBI. Susac elected free agency following the year on November 7, 2021.{{cite web|title=2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-22-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=March 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 9, 2021 |language=en}}

Personal life

Susac's younger brother, Daniel, played baseball at the University of Arizona and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2022 MLB draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/high-school/article242594951.html|title=Daniel Susac could be the next member of the family selected in the MLB draft|website=Sacramento Bee|date=May 11, 2020}}