Rico Garcia

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Rico Garcia

| image =

| team = New York Mets

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|1|10}}

| birth_place = Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 27

| debutyear = 2019

| debutteam = Colorado Rockies

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2023 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 1–2

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 7.32

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 21

| teams = * Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2019}})

San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2020}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2022}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2023}})
Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2023}})

}}

Joshua Rico Garcia (born January 10, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Mets organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, and Washington Nationals. He made his MLB debut in 2019.

Career

=Amateur career=

Garcia attended the Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii.{{cite web|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/local-sports/former-saint-louis-hpu-pitcher-rico-garcia-could-be-next-to-get-the-mlb-call-up/|title=Former Saint Louis/HPU pitcher Rico Garcia could be next to get the MLB call-up|author=Web staff|publisher=KHON 2|date=June 13, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} He attended Hawaii Pacific University and played college baseball for the Sharks, for whom he was 21–13 with a 3.10 ERA in 45 starts.{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/14/rico-garcia-yard-goats-pitcher-dominating-rockies/|title=Yard Goats right-hander Rico Garcia turning plenty of heads with his domination at the Double-A level|author=Kyle Newman|publisher=Denver Post|date=June 14, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round (890th overall) of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/colorado-rockies-garcia-building-on-career-season-with-hartford/c-307072492|title=Rockies' Garcia building on career season|author=Andrew Battifarano|publisher=MiLB.com|date=May 15, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=203884|title=Rico Garcia Player Card – The Baseball Cube|website=www.thebaseballcube.com}}

=Colorado Rockies=

Garcia made his professional debut with the Boise Hawks, going 0–4 with a 6.37 ERA in {{frac|35|1|3}} innings. He played 2017 with Boise and the Asheville Tourists, posting a 2–6 record and 3.39 ERA in 16 games (12 starts).

He split the 2018 season between the Lancaster JetHawks and Hartford Yard Goats, pitching to a 13–9 record and 2.96 ERA over 27 games (26 starts).{{cite web|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/local-sports/former-hpu-pitcher-garcia-is-making-mile-high-strides-in-the-minors-with-rockies/|title=Former HPU pitcher Garcia is making "Mile High" strides in the minors with Rockies|author=Web staff|publisher=KHON 2|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} Garcia was an MILB.com Organization All Star, and both a mid-season and post-season California League All Star.{{Cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=670329|title=Rico Garcia Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|website=MiLB.com}}

Garcia opened the 2019 season with Hartford before being promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes on June 20.{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-baseball-yard-goats-rico-garcia-20190620-20190620-hoah7h4x65hs3gdz4hepxnxj2i-story.html|title=Rico Garcia, called to Triple A, dominated as a Hartford Yard Goats pitcher in the city where his father grew up|author=Dom Amore|publisher=Hartford Courant|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/21/rockies-promote-ben-bowden-rico-garcia/|title=Rockies promote two notable pitching prospects, reliever Ben Bowden and starter Rico Garcia, from Double-A to Triple-A|author=Kyle Newman|publisher=The Denver Post|date=June 22, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} Combined between the two levels, in 2019 he went 10–6 with a 4.24 ERA over {{frac|129|1|3}} innings in 26 starts in which he struck out 138 batters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia006ric|title=Rico Garcia College, Amateur & Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

On August 27, 2019, the Rockies selected Garcia's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.{{cite web|url=https://milehighsports.com/rockies-set-to-call-up-no-20-prospect-rico-garcia-to-face-red-sox/|title=Rockies set to call up No. 20 prospect Rico Garcia to face Red Sox|author=Luke Zahlmann|publisher=Mile High Sports 1340 & 104.7 FM|date=August 26, 2019|access-date=August 26, 2019}} He made his debut that night versus the Boston Red Sox, allowing six runs in five innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/27/red-sox-rock-rico-garcia-rockies/|title=Red Sox rock Rico Garcia, Rockies with 10–6 win in series opener at Coors Field|author=Kyle Newman|publisher=The Denver Post|date=August 27, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019}} He pitched a total of six innings for the Rockies in 2019.

=San Francisco Giants=

On November 5, 2019, Garcia was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/giants-add-rockies-righty-rico-garcia-as-hot-stove-league-begins/|title=Giants add Rockies righty Rico Garcia as Hot Stove League begins|author=Ryan Gorcey|website=The San Francisco Examiner|date=November 5, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019}} He was non-tendered on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/12/02/giants-cut-ties-with-kevin-pillar-center-field-becomes-a-question-mark-again/|title=Giants cut ties with Kevin Pillar, center field becomes a question mark again|website=The Mercury News|author=Kerry Crowley|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019}} Garcia later re-signed with the Giants on a minor league deal in the offseason.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-nov-3-dec-17-2019/|title=Minor League Transactions: Nov 3 – Dec 17|work=Baseball America|first=Chris|last=Hilburn-Trenkle|date=January 3, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2019}} In 2020, Garcia registered a 5.40 ERA with 7 strikeouts in 10 innings of work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garciri01.shtml|title=Rico Garcia Stats}} On December 2, Garcia was nontendered by the Giants. On December 3, Garcia re-signed with the Giants on a minor league contract. On March 24, 2021, it was announced that Garcia would require Tommy John surgery and miss the 2021 season as a result.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/rico-garcia-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery.html|title = Rico Garcia to Undergo Tommy John Surgery}} On March 27, Garcia underwent the procedure. On November 7, Garcia elected free agency.

=Baltimore Orioles=

On November 10, 2021, Garcia signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/minor-mlb-transactions-11-10-21.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 11/10/21}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to begin the year.

On June 13, 2022, Garcia was selected to the 40-man roster to replace Keegan Akin, who could not travel to Toronto for a series against the Blue Jays due to his vaccination status.{{Cite web|title=Orioles' Keegan Akin: Joining big club in Toronto|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-rico-garcia-joining-big-club-in-toronto/|access-date=2023-02-26|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In two games, he allowed one run on three hits with a strikeout in three innings pitched. He was removed from the 40-man roster and returned to Triple-A on June 17.{{Cite web|title=Orioles' Rico Garcia: Heads back to minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-rico-garcia-heads-back-to-minors/|access-date=2023-02-26|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On July 10, Garcia was selected back to the major league roster. In 6 games for Baltimore, he registered a 4.50 ERA with 2 strikeouts in 8 innings of work. On September 11, Garcia was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Cam Gallagher. On September 13, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Norfolk.{{Cite web|title=Orioles' Rico Garcia: Clears waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-rico-garcia-clears-waivers/|access-date=June 17, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Garcia elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=December 30, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On November 11, 2022, Garcia signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, making 9 appearances and logging a 2.03 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 2 saves in 13.1 innings pitched. On May 4, 2023, Garcia had his contract selected to the active roster.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Rico Garcia: Added to roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-rico-garcia-added-to-roster/amp/|access-date=2023-05-04|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 7 games for Oakland, he struggled to an 8.31 ERA with 6 strikeouts in {{fraction|8|2|3}} innings pitched. On July 7, he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Cody Thomas.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Rico Garcia: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-rico-garcia-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=July 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A on July 10.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Rico Garcia: Dispatched to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-rico-garcia-dispatched-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=July 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} However, the next day, Garcia rejected the assignment in lieu of free agency.{{Cite web|title=Rico Garcia: Elects free agency|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rico-garcia-elects-free-agency/|access-date=July 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Washington Nationals=

On July 12, 2023, Garcia signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Rico Garcia: Gets minors deal from Nats|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-rico-garcia-gets-minors-deal-from-nats/amp/|access-date=July 12, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} After two scoreless appearances for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, the Nationals selected Garcia to the major league roster on July 19.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Rico Garcia: Selected to MLB bullpen|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-rico-garcia-selected-to-mlb-bullpen/|access-date=July 19, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He allowed 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 strikeouts in 3 innings of work across 3 appearances for the Nationals. After spending a month on the injured list with biceps tendinitis, Garcia was activated and subsequently released on September 1.{{Cite web|title=Rico Garcia: Released by Nationals|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rico-garcia-released-by-nationals/amp/|access-date=September 1, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On September 3, Garcia re–signed with the Nationals organization on a two–year, minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Rico Garcia: Re-signs with Washington|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-rico-garcia-re-signs-with-washington/|access-date=September 3, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

= New York Mets =

On November 6, 2024, Garcia signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=Mets, Rico Garcia Agree To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/mets-rico-garcia-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}