Suisbel Improves At The Plate, Makes AquaSox Home Run History In Second Season
November 10, 2026 — EVERETT, Wash.: Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning during Game Four of the 2025 Northwest League Championship Series, infielder Luis Suisbel let off one of the most franchise-defining swings in Everett AquaSox history. Facing Eugene Emeralds pitcher Charlie McDaniel with a runner on
November 10, 2026 — EVERETT, Wash.: Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning during Game Four of the 2025 Northwest League Championship Series, infielder Luis Suisbel let off one of the most franchise-defining swings in Everett AquaSox history.
Facing Eugene Emeralds pitcher Charlie McDaniel with a runner on base, Suisbel launched a go-ahead, two-run home run into the left field corner of Everett Memorial Stadium, barely squeaking into fair territory by the time all was said and done. Suisbel’s swing proved to be the game-winning swing as Everett ultimately took down the Emeralds 6-3 to earn the third title in AquaSox history — one that was also the team’s first since 2010 and the club’s first as a full-season affiliate.
BANG!
— Everett AquaSox (@EverettAquaSox) September 14, 2025
Luis Suisbel MASHES a two-run shot and your AquaSox now lead the Emeralds 4-3! pic.twitter.com/SNPGJPKXgI
Some may say that home run is the biggest of Suisbel’s career. Others may argue that his historic blast from Everett’s game against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Gesa Stadium on August 21, 2026, takes the cake. Facing an 0-1 count with his team down 4-3 in the eighth inning, he launched his 39th home run as a member of the AquaSox, breaking the club record for career home runs that was formerly held by infielder Dariel Gomez.
“It’s incredible,” Suisbel said, referring to his improvements at the plate and setting the AquaSox home run record. “When I see my past, see my offseason work improve every year, and see my offensive numbers improve every year, I feel incredible about it.”
LUIS SUISBEL. GONE.
— Everett AquaSox (@EverettAquaSox) August 22, 2026
HE NOW HOLDS THE EVERETT AQUASOX RECORD FOR MOST HOME RUNS AS A FROG! pic.twitter.com/PkEjXvlxqo
Repeating a level of Minor League Baseball can be tough on an athlete — especially from the mental side of the game. For Suisbel, despite winning the 2025 Northwest League Championship, there was unfinished business to attend to. Returning to Everett with grace for a second full season, he focused on three key areas: On-field performance, mental routines, and leadership.
During the 2026 season, Suisbel saw a rise from 2025 in numerous important categories such as batting average (.211 to .258), on-base percentage (.308 to .336), slugging percentage (.412 to .488), OPS (.720 to .824), and doubles (15 to 27). Hitting just .199 as of June 26, Suisbel dialed up the heat with the lumber across the season’s final 10 weeks, turning in a strong campaign with a proven ability to learn from mistakes and adapt his game.
“He has worked really hard mechanically speaking. He's had a bit of an uphill swing which has been beneficial because he hits a ton of homers,” AquaSox Hitting Coach Chase Miller said. “He also has some swing and miss in his game in certain locations. Him trying to flatten his swing out a little bit and embrace more of a low line drive ball flight has led to being more of a contact hitter with a higher batting average, and we haven't really lost much of that power either which has been cool. It seems to have been a good trade-off.”
“The more that we can hone guys into swinging at pitches that are ultimately in their damage zone over the plate, the more success they’re going to have that way,” AquaSox Manager Ryan Scott said. “It really was trying to get Luis back into the zone, not chasing as much, and not trying to do too much with every single pitch that's coming in there — honing in and understanding that he will get pitches over the plate. Pitchers have to come into the plate and, if they don't, he can take his walks and go to first base.”
On-field mechanics and approach are just half of the battle in the sport of baseball. As many have said over the years, baseball truly is a mental sport, and Suisbel also made many strides by focusing on his preparation beyond the diamond.
“It's more keeping yourself centered and keeping yourself focused on what you're doing right here, right now, to give yourself the best chance to have the best at-bats possible,” Scott said. “Understanding that as long as you go out there and you focus on [keeping yourself where you are] every single day, you're going to ultimately get to where you want to go.”
Now a veteran of the Northwest League circuit, Suisbel has also taken it upon himself to expand his leadership skills, serving as an experienced voice for younger players in the clubhouse. Further showing maturity, intentionality, and a deepened understanding of the game, Suisbel served to analyze the game for all of his fellow hitters, helping guide newcomers such as fellow Venezuelan infielder Ricardo Cova to strong starts in High-A baseball.
“Luis is very intentional in what he's doing, so he's intentional when he uses his voice. He's not always going to be the loudest in the room and he’s not going to be the loudest guy in the dugout, but he'll be loud when he has to be,” Scott said. “I think a lot of the younger guys see that, they understand that, and they appreciate when he does use his voice, when he does help them, and when he is able to answer questions from them or help direct them to what they might need to do.”
“His energy is amazing — it's always positive. He is a perfect example of a guy who can, regardless of the result [when he is back in the dugout after an at-bat], be on the top step cheering the next guy on,” Miller said. “Luis is vocal, and I think that that trait along with the work that he puts in day in and day out — and how he goes about his work — just helps guys gravitate toward him.”
Suisbel also recognizes how meaningful it is to be viewed as a leader — especially by his closest peers, his teammates.
“It is special — I love those guys. Honestly, I live more with those guys than my family,” Suisbel said. “Those guys are my family. I always try to get the best for them. If I can help with anything, I'm always available for them.”
Along with wanting to carve out a career in Major League Baseball for himself, Suisbel has two other dearly personal motives attached to his heart in which he plays: Unwavering love for his family back home, and both pride and passion for his home country of Venezuela.
“My family, my little brother, my country; I always want to represent them with my name and the number on my jersey,” Suisbel said. “When I was younger, I always dreamed of having a little brother. Now I have one, he’s starting to play baseball right now, and I’m always trying to be the best person for him.”
Each of the last three seasons, Suisbel has reinforced his commitment to his home country, playing winter baseball in Venezuela by suiting up for Navegantes del Magallanes based out of Valencia.
“[Representing Venezuela] is incredible. When I was younger, I represented home sometimes,” Suisbel said. “In Venezuela, when you talk about winning, I prefer to win for my hometown team. It’s special to live there.”
Taking a liking to players such as Alex Rodriguez and Adrián Beltré over the years, Suisbel looks to keep carving his own legacy in 2027 while taking inspiration from the successful careers of those who came before him.
“We kind of joked that when the weather heats up, so does Luis Suisbel,” said Miller. “And that's exactly what played out this summer.”
PICTURED ABOVE: Luis Suisbel
PHOTOS BY: Shari Sommerfeld and Evan Morud
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