Yeudy Garcia Stats & Scouting Report

IP	611
ERA	3.918
WHIP	1.419
BB/9	4.198
SO/9	8.352

Full name Yeudy Garcia
Born 10/06/1992 in Sabana Yegua, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Garcia was a late sign for a player from the Dominican Republic, not signing until he was 20. He moved quickly to high Class A Bradenton three years after he was signed, recording ERAs under 3.00 as a starter in 2015 at low Class A West Virginia and in 2016 with the Marauders. Garcia's progress hit a speed bump early in 2017. He started 11 games and didn't make it through the sixth inning in any of them. However, he moved to the bullpen in late June and flourished. The change in roles had been expected at some point. After posting a 6.50 ERA as a starter, Garcia had a 3.25 ERA as a reliever. He still had well below-average control. The move allowed him to get more out of his fastball, which he was throwing at 92-93 mph as a starter. As a reliever, he typically sat 97 mph and hit 99 on occasion. He combined that with a wipeout power slider and a changeup that came in around 82 mph. Garcia's move to the bullpen could put him on a much quicker path to the major leagues, and there's a chance he could start 2018 at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Garcia is the rare Latin American player who did not sign as an international free agent until he was already 20 years old. Thus the Pirates have pushed him aggressively to make up for lost time. Garcia had a breakout year at low Class A West Virginia in 2015, but while his surface statistics were fine at high Class A Bradenton in 2016 he consistently had trouble with his command, which resulted in running up high pitch counts. Garcia admitted at the end of the season he had pitched through shoulder pain. The Pirates hope offseason rest will help solve the problem. When healthy, he has a power fastball that touches 99 mph and sits in the mid-90s. He also throws a hard slider that flashes plus, but he continues to struggle to find for a consistent grip on his changeup. The Pirates plan to stick with Garcia as a starter at Double-A Altoona in 2017, but his fastball-slider combination could make him a potential late-inning reliever if he is unable to master his changeup.
The Pirates signed Garcia in February 2013 as a 20-year-old, which is ancient by the standards of amateur players from Latin America. Yet the Pirates appear to have unearthed a late bloomer in Garcia, who went 12-5, 2.10 at low Class A West Virginia last year to win both the South Atlantic League ERA title and pitcher of the year honors in his first season in the U.S. His fastball routinely sits at 94-95 mph and was clocked as high as 98. He also throws a hard slider and a changeup, both of which flash plus but are inconsistent. Garcia pitched just 60 innings in 2014 in the Dominican Summer League, so the Pirates eased him into a starter's role in 2015 by beginning him in the West Virginia bullpen to manage his workload. Garcia should be able to handle a normal workload in 2016 at high Class A Bradenton. Because he signed at such a late age and came from seemingly out of nowhere, Garcia must continue to produce results to build his credentials as a prospect. However, he has the raw talent to be a mid-rotation starter or possible closer.

Minor League Top Prospects

While most top prospects from the Dominican Republic sign when they are 16 or 17 years old, teams can sometimes find a bargain by signing "older" players who develop later. Garcia is the rare 20-year-old signee who has blossomed into a prospect. Garcia didn't even expect to make the West Virginia club because it was his first spring training in the U.S. He began in the Power bullpen, but after a strong stretch of longer and longer outings, he moved into the rotation and became the club's ace. Garcia ended up leading the SAL in ERA (2.10) and ranked second in opponent average (.204). Evaluators loved Garcia's demeanor and work ethic. He plays the game like the intensity of someone who knows they have to outwork everyone else. Garcia's calling card is a 93-96 mph fastball that plays up in shorter stints. The pitch has good life and generates swings and misses. His slider is less consistent but also flashes above-average potential on a regular basis. His arsenal really plays against righthanders, who hit just .188 with one home run against him.