Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 172 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 04/12/2003
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2019
Bonus: $350,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2023
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
When he signed, Garcia had a good change and threw a fastball in the low-90s. By 2022, his fastball reportedly could reach the upper-90s and sat about 96. Control, though, is a significant problem. His velocity wasn’t as high in 2023, possibly due to him dialing it down in an effort to find the plate more.
2020-21
Garcia didn’t pitch in 2020, then made ten starts and two relief appearances in the DSL, although his appearances were generally brief. Opponents batted only .177 against him and he fanned 14.2 per nine innings, but he also walked 11.7 per nine.
2022-23
The Pirates sent Garcia to the FCL, where he pitched regularly in relief. Control was a huge problem; in 16.1 IP, he walked 25, hit six and threw 15 wild pitches. The problem did not improve over time. He had a 13.8 K/9, but ended up with an ERA of 11.57. In 2023, he was back in the FCL and got better results only relative to the year before. He still walked 21 in 19.2 IP, and had an equal number of strikeouts. His ERA was 5.03.
Stats
Transactions
July 2, 2019: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.