Bryan Garcia (baseball) explained

Bryan Garcia
Team:Free agent
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:19 April 1995
Birth Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 2
Debutyear:2019
Debutteam:Detroit Tigers
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:2022 season
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:7–3
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.52
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:68
Teams:

Bryan Garcia (born April 19, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers.

Amateur career

Garcia attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, known as the Lawn Mower where he played for the school's baseball team as a starting pitcher. In 2013, as a senior, he had a 8–1 win–loss record with a 1.23 earned run average (ERA).[1] He was not selected in the 2013 MLB draft out of high school and [2] enrolled at the University of Miami, where he played college baseball for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. In 2016, working as a relief pitcher, he went 2–0 with a 1.89 ERA in 38 innings, set the Miami career record for saves (18), and won the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award.[3]

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers selected Garcia in the sixth round, with the 175th overall selection, of the 2016 MLB draft.[4] He signed with the Tigers, and made his professional debut with the Connecticut Tigers of the Low-A New York-Penn League,[5] and was later promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Single-A Midwest League; in 18.2 total innings between both teams, he posted an 0–2 record and 2.41 ERA. He began 2017 with West Michigan and earned promotions to the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High-A Florida State League, the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League, and the Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple-A International League. In 52 total games between the four teams, Garcia pitched to a 5–3 record, 2.13 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.[6]

Garcia tore his ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in February 2018 and underwent Tommy John surgery on February 15,[7] missing the whole 2018 season. Garcia returned in May 2019, and played for Lakeland, Erie, and Toledo during the 2019 minor league season.[8] He went a combined 3–0 with a 3.05 ERA in 41 innings.

On September 1, 2019, the Tigers selected Garcia's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[9] [10] He made his major league debut on September 2 versus the Minnesota Twins, pitching a scoreless inning in relief.[11]

Garcia began the 2020 season in the Tigers bullpen. He earned his first major league save on September 6, 2020, against the Minnesota Twins.[12] In the 2020 season, Garcia pitched in 26 games, posting a 1.66 ERA and compiling a 2–1 record with 4 saves and 12 strikeouts in innings. Garcia was awarded the 2020 Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year Award by the Detroit Sports Media Association.

Garcia began the 2021 season in the Tigers bullpen once again. He struggled through May 30, and was optioned to Toledo.[13] In 39 major league appearances, Garcia went 3–2 with a 7.55 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

On April 16, 2022, Garcia was designated for assignment by the Tigers.[14] He cleared waivers and the Tigers sent him outright to Toledo.[15] He had his contract selected on July 28, as a COVID-19 substitute player. He was selected to the active roster on August 4 to make a start against the Tampa Bay Rays.[16] Garcia made 39 appearances for Toledo in 2022, working to a 5–3 record and 3.80 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 85.1 innings of work. On November 10, Garcia was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Toledo.[17] He elected free agency the next day.[18]

Houston Astros

On February 7, 2023, Garcia signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization.[19] Garcia made 15 appearances (9 starts) for the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, and posted a 6.98 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 49.0 innings pitched. He was released by Houston on June 26.[20]

Charros de Jalisco

On March 21, 2024, Garcia signed with the Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican League.[21] In 18 appearances for Jalisco, he struggled to a 6.89 ERA with 14 strikeouts across innings pitched. On June 18, Garcia was released by the Charros.[22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Reynolds. Beyond The U: Bryan Garcia. State of The U. SB Nation. February 23, 2017. August 27, 2017.
  2. News: Miller . Susan . UM baseball reliever Bryan Garcia ready for Regional Tournament . . June 2, 2016 . August 27, 2017.
  3. News: Richards . George . Hurricanes' Bryan Garcia named national Stopper of the Year at CWS after setting school career saves record . . June 18, 2016 . August 27, 2017.
  4. News: UM's Abreu, Garcia drafted in sixth round. Max Bultman . . August 18, 2017 . August 27, 2017.
  5. News: Connecticut reliever Garcia just acts like he belongs. Lynn Henning . . August 14, 2016 . August 27, 2017.
  6. Web site: Bryan Garcia Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. MiLB.com. February 19, 2018.
  7. News: Tigers' Bryan Garcia set for Tommy John surgery. The Detroit News. Chris McCosky. February 14, 2018. September 2, 2019.
  8. News: Detroit Tigers' September won't be the prospect showcase once hoped for. Anthony Fenech. Detroit Free Press. August 31, 2019. August 31, 2019.
  9. News: 'Just unreal': Tommy John surgery behind him, Bryan Garcia finally gets call from Tigers. Chris McCosky. The Detroit News. September 1, 2019. September 1, 2019.
  10. Web site: Newest Tiger Bryan Garcia didn't let injury derail big-league dream. Evan Woodbery. MLive Media Group. September 1, 2019. September 2, 2019.
  11. News: Gabriel Urrutia. Miami Hurricanes News and Notes — former Hurricanes closer Bryan Garcia makes MLB debut, more. State of The U. SB Nation. September 2, 2019. September 3, 2019.
  12. Web site: Tigers' trio notches career firsts in win. Beck. Jason. mlb.com. September 6, 2020. September 8, 2020.
  13. Web site: Tigers promote Rony Garcia, send Bryan Garcia to Toledo. May 30, 2021.
  14. News: RHP Wily Peralta added to big league roster by Detroit Tigers . April 17, 2022 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . April 16, 2022.
  15. Web site: Tigers reliever clears waivers, outrighted to Toledo. April 20, 2022.
  16. Web site: Tigers’ Bryan Garcia: Contract selected Friday. 2023-05-27. cbssports.com. en.
  17. Web site: Detroit Tigers outfielder Victor Reyes among six player cut from 40-man roster. June 30, 2023. freep.com. en.
  18. Web site: Detroit Tigers pitcher Bryan Garcia, Elvin Rodriguez among minor-league free agents. June 30, 2023. freep.com. en.
  19. Web site: Astros’ Bryan Garcia: Inks minors deal with Houston. 2023-02-07. cbssports.com. en.
  20. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-06-26/p-2
  21. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 21 de marzo de 2024. March 22, 2024. milb.com. en.
  22. Web site: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 18 de junio de 2024. June 19, 2024. milb.com. en.