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Luis García (pitcher, born 1987)

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Not to be confused with Luis García (pitcher, born 1996).

Luis García
García with the Padres in 2022
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-01-30) January 30, 1987 (age 37)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 10, 2013, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record26–28
Earned run average4.14
Strikeouts499
Teams

Luis Amado García (born January 30, 1987) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.

García was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as an amateur free agent in 2004, at the age of 16. His initial MLB call-up occurred on July 9, 2013.[1] García made his big league debut the next day, versus the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. That day, he pitched one scoreless inning, in relief of Phillies ace, Cliff Lee.

García has had two stints playing professional baseball, initially from 2006 to 2010, and from 2013 to present. During the period in between stints, García was mostly out of baseball, working in the barbering and moving businesses, save for a brief, rocky 2012 comeback attempt in independent ball.[2]

Professional career

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Early professional career (2006–10)

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García was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as an amateur free agent in 2004, and first played in the Dominican Summer League for them in 2006. He remained in the Dodgers organization until 2009; on August 31, García was traded to the Washington Nationals along with a player to be named later (Victor Garate), for infielder Ronnie Belliard.[3] In total in 2009, García had six wins, three losses, with a 2.76 earned run average (ERA), and five saves, with the Great Lakes Loons and Potomac Nationals.[4] He spent the 2010 season in the Nationals organization before being granted free agency.

Philadelphia Phillies

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García with the Phillies in 2018

After spending 2011 out of baseball and in 2012 pitching only nine games for the Newark Bears of the Can-Am League during which he totaled an 11.57 ERA, García assumed his professional career was over, and began trying to learn the trade of barbering at a salon in New Jersey. At night, he worked at a moving company.[5]

At that time, García’s only baseball activity was teaching children and a few pickup games, yet Philadelphia Phillies international scouting director Sal Agostinelli heard about García and sent someone to watch him throw. After discovering that García consistently threw a fastball that was 94 miles per hour (mph) as well as an "impressive" slider, Agostinelli had García come to Phillies spring training. The Phillies signed him to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Clearwater Threshers, their Advanced-A affiliate, on March 25, 2013. Agostinelli was quoted as saying, "It's literally one of those things as a scout that you dream about."[5]

Despite his accolades from the scouting staff, García was not expected to reach the majors.[6] Beginning the year in Clearwater before earning promotions to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, García combined to post a 1.67 ERA and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9).[7] He was called up to the Major Leagues on July 9, 2013, to replace Phillippe Aumont.[8]

García was recalled from Lehigh Valley on May 8, 2014[9] and had several stints with the Phillies that season, ultimately appearing in 13 games. In 2015, García made the Phillies' Opening Day roster after a strong spring training. His performance during the first half of the season was characterized as "inconsistent" by then-interim manager Pete Mackanin, who said García had been hanging too many sliders.[10]

In 2018, García was 3–1, with one save, in 59 games (all in relief), with a 6.07 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts in 46 innings.[3]

Los Angeles Angels

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On December 6, 2018, the Phillies traded García to the Los Angeles Angels for relief pitcher José Álvarez.[11][12] García would make 64 appearances for the Angels in 2019, posting a 2–1 record and 4.35 ERA. García elected free agency following the 2019 season.[13]

Texas Rangers

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On January 9, 2020, García signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers that included an invite to Spring Training. On August 18, 2020, García was selected to the major league roster. On September 15, García was designated for assignment after struggling to a 7.56 ERA in 11 games.[14] García was granted free agency on September 17.[15]

New York Yankees

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On December 12, 2020, García signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[16] He was assigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to begin the 2021 season. In 18 appearances with Scranton, García logged a 1–2 record and 3.63 ERA. He was granted his released by the Yankees on July 6.[17]

St. Louis Cardinals

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On July 9, 2021, García signed a major league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[18] García debuted for the Cardinals against the Chicago Cubs on the same day and hit the first batter he faced, Willson Contreras, in the head with a fastball.[19]

San Diego Padres

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On December 1, 2021, García signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Padres.[20] He became a free agent following the 2023 season.

Los Angeles Angels (second stint)

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On December 13, 2023, García signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[21] García made 45 appearances out of the bullpen for the Angels in 2024, compiling a 3.71 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 4 saves across 43+2⁄3 innings pitched.[22]

Boston Red Sox

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On July 30, 2024, García was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor-league players Niko Kavadas, Matthew Lugo, Yeferson Vargas and Ryan Zeferjahn.[23][24]

References

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  1. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies send Phillippe Aumont down to Lehigh Valley IronPigs, call up Luis Garcia". lehighvalleylive.com. Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania: PennLive LLC. Associated Press. July 9, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "11 years ago, he was a barber. Now? He's pitching in the NLCS". MLB.com. MLB. October 21, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Luis Garcia Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  4. ^ "Luis Garcia Minor, Independent and Winter Leagues Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Housenick, Mandy (July 9, 2013). "Phillies' Luis Garcia: From the salon to the major leagues in four months". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania: Tribune Publishing. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  6. ^ Clark, Bonnie, ed. (2013). 2013 Philadelphia Phillies Media Guide. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Phillies.
  7. ^ "Luis Garcia Baseball Statistics (2007-2013)". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  8. ^ Riccaboni, Ian (July 9, 2013). "Phillies recall Garcia, option Aumont to AAA". Phillies Nation. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  9. ^ Zolecki, Todd (May 8, 2014). "Phillies outright Camp and recall Garcia". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  10. ^ Parent, Rob (July 17, 2015). "Morgan deserves better, but he'll take the hit as Phillies open 2nd half with win". delcotimes.com. Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Angels' Luis Garcia: Shipped to Los Angeles". www.cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Rotowire Staff. December 6, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  12. ^ Thornburg, Chad (December 6, 2018). "Phillies, Angels swap relievers in 1-for-1 deal (Phils acquire LHP Alvarez; Halos receive RHP Garcia)". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. ^ Rhett Bolinger (October 28, 2019). "Bour 1 of 5 players cut from Angels' roster". MLB.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  14. ^ "Rangers Designate Luis Garcia". September 15, 2020.
  15. ^ "Rangers' Luis Garcia Becomes Free Agent". September 17, 2020.
  16. ^ "Yankees Sign Derek Dietrich, Nick Goody". February 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Luis García Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  18. ^ "Cardinals Sign Luis Garcia". July 9, 2021.
  19. ^ "Cardinals vs. Cubs - Box Score - July 9, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  20. ^ "Padres Sign RHP Luis García to Two-Year Contract". December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  21. ^ "Angels sign RHP Luis García and RHP Adam Cimber". mlb.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  22. ^ "Red Sox trade for Angels righty reliever with 3.71 ERA". masslive.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  23. ^ Browne, Ian (July 30, 2024). "Red Sox add bullpen depth in trades for Sims, García". mlb.com. MLB. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "Red Sox add relief in Angels' Luis Garcia, Reds' Lucas Sims". ESPN.com. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
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