Luis García (garcilu05)

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Luis Heibardo García

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 1", Weight 244 lb.

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Biographical Information[edit]

Pitcher Luis García reached the majors with the Houston Astros late in the 2020 season, going 0-1, 2.92 in 5 games. He was added to the Astros' postseason roster and while he did not see any action in the first two rounds, he started Game 5 of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 15th. He was kept on a short leash, only allowed to go two innings, during which he gave up a pair of walks but no hits, then was replaced by Blake Taylor to start the 3rd as the Astros, facing elimination, went on to win the game, 4-3.

He had an excellent rookie season in 2021 as he finished second in the voting for the Rookie of the Year Award, behind Randy Arozarena of the Rays. He made 28 starts in 30 appearances and finished at 11-8, 3.48, pitching 155 1/3 innings and striking out 167 batters. This time, he saw extensive use in the postseason, as he made 5 starts while the Astros made it to the World Series. He was chased early in his only start against the Chicago White Sox in the Division Series, giving up 5 runs in 2 2/3 innings in Game 3 on October 10th, and was again roughed up when he took the mound against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALCS on October 16th. In that game, he gave up a grand slam to J.D. Martinez in the 1st, then was replaced by Jake Odorizzi after walking Kevin Plawecki to lead off the 2nd; Plawecki came in to score and he was charged with the 9-5 loss, his ERA after two starts being a bloated 24.55. He redeemed himself in Game 6 by pitching 5 2/3 brilliant innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out 7. The 5-0 win clinched a spot in the Fall Classic for Houston. He lost both of his starts against the Atlanta Braves in the World Series, however, being charged for a 2-0 loss in Game 3 in spite of allowing just 1 run in 3 2/3 innings, and being hit hard in the finale, Game 6, on November 2nd when he gave up 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings, the big blow being a three-run homer by Jorge Soler. Houston lost the game, 7-0, and the series, 4 games to 2.

He was again a pillar of the Astros' starting rotation in 2022, even though his record did not reflect this. At the end of May, after 9 starts, he had an excellent ERA of 3.14 but was only 3-3 for a team that was running away with the AL West title. On June 15th, he was part of a feat never seen before in major league history. Starting against the Texas Rangers, he became the 8th Astros pitcher to throw an immaculate inning when he struck out Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran and Brad Miller on nine pitches in the 2nd inning. That was already remarkable, but the feat became historical when it was repeated exactly in the 7th inning by reliever Phil Maton who struck out the same three batters, also on nine pitches. There had never been two such innings thrown on the same day, never mind by one team in the same game. He was credited with a 9-2 win in that game. He went 15-8, 3.72 in 28 starts that season, logging 157 1/3 innings, part of a loaded starting rotation for the Astros. That made it hard for him to get a starting assignment in the postseason. Indeed, he pitched only once in the Division Series, in the epic Game 3 against the Seattle Mariners on October 15th, when he entered the scoreless game in the 14th inning, then added five innings of more scoreless ball, allowing just two hits while striking out 6, and getting credit for the win when Jeremy Pena led off the top of the 18th inning with a homer; he then served as his own closer, completing his outstanding outing by setting down the M's in order to preserve the 1-0 lead and bring the series to an end. He was not used in the ALCS against the New York Yankees and in the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he only made one relief appearance, giving up 1 run in two-thirds of an inning in Game 1 on October 28th. He started the top of the 10th by allowing a solo homer to J.T. Realmuto, then was replaced by Ryne Stanek after allowing a single and getting a couple of ground ball outs. The Astros managed to put a couple of baserunners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to score against David Robertson, so he was saddled with Houston's 6-5 loss. The Astros won the series in six games.

He started the 2023 season by going 2-2, 4.00 over his first six starts. He had to leave a start against the San Francisco Giants on May 1st after facing only one batter, and less than a week later, the Astros announced that his season was over, as he needed to undergo Tommy John surgery. There was some speculation before that season about how he would adjust to new rules, including the pitch clock and the clarification of the need for a pitcher to come to a complete stop during his wind-up. It was the latter part that was an issue for him, as his normal pitching motion included a lot of rocking back and forth before delivering the pitch, but he was able to adjust to the greater scrutiny.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Further Reading[edit]

  • Brian McTaggart: "2 immaculate innings thrown in 1 game for first time", mlb.com, June 15, 2022. [1]
  • Brian McTaggart: "'Smooth sailing': New windup doesn't faze Garcia in spring debut", mlb.com, February 28, 2023. [2]
  • Brian McTaggart: "'A tremendous blow': Garcia to undergo Tommy John surgery", mlb.com, May 6, 2023. [3]

Related Sites[edit]

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