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The Detroit Tigers have selected right-handed pitcher Rony Garcia with the first overall pick in the 2019 Rule 5 draft. Garcia is a righthander from the New York Yankees’ system who spent last season between Advanced-A Tampa, and Double-A Trenton.
We will have a full scouting report on Garcia available later, but here are the early details, courtesy of Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.
- 6’3 frame
- 94-95 mph fastball
- Plus curveball
- 4.44 ERA in Double-AA last season
- 8.89 K/9; 3.25 BB/9
Garcia will spend the 2020 season in the major leagues as long as he remains in the Tigers’ organization, unless a trade is worked out to obtain his rights from the Yankees.
Another scout on #Tigers Rony Garcia, “FB 92-95, throws a lot of sliders and started throwing a lot of cutters at the end of the year. Both SL/Cutter are average pitches. Profiles as future long reliever.”
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) December 12, 2019
Yankees liked him, but reportedly didn't have roster flexibility.
The Tigers have passed on their second selection, but took righthander Ruben Garcia from the Baltimore Orioles and infielder Brian Schales from the Minnesota Twins in the minor league portion of the draft.
In the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Tigers selected RHP Ruben Garcia from the Baltimore Orioles and INF Brian Schales from the Minnesota Twins.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) December 12, 2019
Stay tuned for more details as they become available.