Anderson Garcia

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #27 prospect in 2007
  The Orioles claimed Garcia off waivers from the Mets in August, and he made a good impression in just a couple of weeks of action. Originally signed by the Yankees, he was traded to the Mets in a 2003 deadline deal for Armando Benitez. Garcia's 2006 season got off to a late start because of visa problems in the Dominican Republic, so the Orioles just had him pitch an inning or two every two to three days to get him regular work. He showed them a fastball that ranged from 93-96 mph as well as a good slider, and his command was much better than it had been in the Mets system. He has a maximum-effort delivery that is much more suited to short outings, and his fastball is much more effective in that role as well. Garcia will compete for a big league bullpen job in spring training.
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  Ranked New York Mets #30 prospect in 2004
  While the Mets had to go outside the organization in their search for a major league closer for 2004, they have plenty of future possibilities stacked throughout the minors. Count Garcia, part of the Armando Benitez trade with the Yankees, among the group. He has a 91-94 mph fastball that touches 97 mph and has good arm-side run. It's a potentially dominant pitch. He also shows a good, if inconsistent, slider with a tight, late break and an average straight changeup. Though he has split time between the rotation and bullpen for both the Mets and Yankees, Garcia projects as a reliever. He has trouble keeping his delivery under control, and it's closer to maximum effort than free and easy. He has plenty of work to do on maintaining his mechanics, but with his fastball he'll get plenty of chances to get it put together. He should start this season in high Class A.