Isaias Garcia

Isaias Antonio Garcia Gonzalez

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.
• Schools University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Blinn Junior College
• High School St. Thomas High School (Houston)

• Born August 20, 1984 in Houston, TX USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Isaias Garcia is in his 3rd minor league season in 2008.

In 2002, Garcia hit .498 and stole 30 bases as a high school senior; the prior year, he helped his team to a state title. In 2003, he batted .327 with 15 steals as a freshman at Blinn Junior College. As a sophomore, he hit .439 with 14 home runs, 64 RBI and 26 steals. He transferred to Sam Houston State in 2005 and hit .339 with 15 homers and 10 steals, earning him Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors. Switching schools again, he joined the University of Houston as a senior and produced at a .357/.413/.502 clip with 51 runs in 57 games and 19 steals in 23 tries. He hit for the cycle on April 1. He made the All-Conference USA first team as an infielder.

Garcia was picked in the 34th round of the 2006 amateur draft, taken by the St. Louis Cardinals. He debuted as a pro with the Johnson City Cardinals, hitting .339/.395/.510; turning 22 by season's end, he was old for the Appalachian League. He hit an amazing .449 against southpaws and .276 versus right-handers. He led Cardinals farmhands in average, OBP and slugging. He had the lowest strikeout rate in the Appy League (1/14.72 AB). The 2008 Cardinals Media Guide lists him as the batting champion; the 2007 Baseball Almanac lists someone else at .338 despite Garcia having enough plate appearances to qualify. He was left off the league All-Star team at 2B in favor of Ronald Ramirez.

Garcia split 2007 between the Swing of the Quad Cities (.342/.444/.395 in 11 games) and the Palm Beach Cardinals (.252/.297/.356 in 91 games). In the 2007 Baseball World Cup, he backed up Yoni Lasso at second base for Panama and went 2 for 4. Unfortunately, Panama did not purchase the required insurance for their five players under contract to MLB clubs (including Garcia) and they were deprived of a spot in the quarterfinals.

Garcia played for Palm Beach in 2008 (.310/.385/.429 in 23 games) and the Springfield Cardinals (.284/.304/.397 in 71 games). Previously a second baseman primarily, most of his 2008 time came at either third base or DH.

Garcia was on Panama's preliminary roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Sources

• 2008 Cardinals Media Guide
• 2007-2008 Baseball Almanacs
• University of Houston bio
• IBAF