Luis García (pitcher, born 1987)

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.

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 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]

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]

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

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]

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]

On December 1, 2021, García signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Padres. [20]