Jaime Garcia, Retired
Date of Birth: 7/8/1986
Birthplace: Reynosa, Mexico
Jaime Garcia, retired pitcher, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005. He pitched in the Cardinals' minor league system from 2006 through part of 2008, joining the Cardinals as a relief pitcher for 10 games in 2008.
Garcia had Tommy John surgery after the 2008 season and he spent the 2009 system rehabbing in the minor leagues. He returned to the Cardinals in 2010 as part of their starting rotation. He had a strong 2010 season, finishing with a career low ERA of 2.70, 13 wins to 8 losses, and 132 strikeouts to 64 walks in 163.1 innings in 28 games.
In July, 2011, Garcia signed a four-year, $27.5 million contract extension. He wasted no time earning that salary, having his best season to date in 2011. That season, he had 13 wins to 7 losses, a 3.56 ERA, and career highs in games played (32), innings pitched (194.2), and strikeouts (156 to 50 walks).
Garcia had shoulder issues in 2012 that limited his playing time to 20 games. He continued to have shoulder problems in 2013 and 2014 and he had surgeries both seasons. He pitched in just nine games in 2013 and seven games in 2014.
Garcia pitched in 20 games with the Cardinals in 2015. He finished the season with a 10-6 record, 97 strikeouts to 30 walks, and a 2.43 ERA in 129.2 innings. He pitched 2.0 innings in 1 postseason game and he gave up 4 hits, including 1 home run, and 5 runs.
On October 31, 2015, the Cardinals exercised Garcia's $11.5 million option for 2016. He pitched in 32 games in 2016 and he had a 4.67 ERA, 10 wins to 13 losses, and 150 strikeouts to 57 walks in 171.2 innings.
The Cardinals picked up Garcia's club option for 2017 on November 3, 2016. One month later, on December 3rd, they traded him to the Atlanta Braves.
Garcia was traded to the Minnesota Twins on July 24, 2017. Six days later, the Twins traded him to the New York Yankees. He finished the 2017 season with 5 wins and 10 losses, 129 strikeouts to 64 walks, and a 4.41 ERA in 18 games with the Braves, 1 game with the Twins, and 8 games with the Yankees. In the postseason, he pitched 2.2 innigns in 1 game and he gave up no hits.
Garcia elected free agency on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on February 15, 2018. He was released on August 29, 2018. The Chicago Cubs signed him to a minor league contract on September 1st. He finished the 2018 season with 3 wins and 7 losses, 73 strikeouts to 44 walks, and a 5.82 ERA in 25 games with the Blue Jays and 8 games with the Cubs.
Garcia announced his retirement on January 9, 2019.
Career pitching statistics for Garcia through 2018 include:
- 218 games played
- 1,135.0 innings pitched
- 70-62 win-loss record
- 925 strikeouts to 369 walks
- 3.85 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jaime Garcia
ESPN - Jaime Garcia