Jaiker Garcia
Position: RHP
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 175 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 12/23/2004
Country: Venezuela
How Acquired: Trade (from Rangers)
Signed: International Free Agent, 2022 (Rangers)
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
Garcia started off with the Rangers as an infielder, but moved to the mound full time in his second pro season. There’s not much known about him yet. He appears to have reasonably good velocity throwing from a low three-quarters angle, with some arm-side run. The Pirates acquired Garcia from the Rangers for Carter Baumler, just after they selected Baumler in the Rule 5 draft.
2022-25
Garcia played all over the infield in his debut in the DSL, and also pitched once. At the plate, he put up a .525 OPS, which evidently convinced Texas to move him to the mound permanently the following season.
Over two more seasons in the DSL, Garcia improved markedly. In 2023, he struggled to get anybody out, posting a 19.64 ERA and 2.73 WHIP. In 2024, he still had an ERA of 6.41, but he got the WHIP down to 1.63 and cut his walk rate by more than half. He also had a 9.8 K/9.
The Rangers moved Garcia to the Arizona Complex League in 2025 and he threw 19.1 IP in relief. His ERA was 4.66, but his other numbers still showed a struggle. He had a 1.76 WHIP and 6.5 BB/9. He did strike out 12.1 per nine innings.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2022: Signed by the Texas Rangers as an international free agent.
December 10, 2025: Traded by the Texas Rangers with cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Carter Baumler.