Pitcher Julian Garcia Spins Impressive Story: From Monarchs to Reds’ Organization

Former Kansas City Monarchs (American Assocation) ace Julian Garcia was doing his thing all season long, striking out 163 batters, including an August which included 44 punch outs and three wins.

That type of stellar performance had the Cincinnati Reds organization purchasing his contract, his ex-team announced on Sunday.

“We couldn’t be happier as an organization to be able to share this news, and I couldn’t be more proud as his manager,” Kansas City manager Joe Calfapietra said on monarchsbaseball.com. “They’re all special. This is as special as they come.”

Garcia, 30, set a Monarchs’ record, but was four strikeouts shy of the American Association mark, set by current White Sox pitcher Tyler Alexander in 2017, before the Reds stepped in.

He posted a 9-2 record with a 3.39 ERA in 111.2 innings of work in 19 starts.

With the Reds purchasing his contract, Calfapietra does not believe Garcia affiliated minor league baseball will be his last stop. In fact, he said ‘The Show’ could be in the cards for Garcia.

“We don’t feel this journey is going to end in the minor leagues,” Calfapietra said. “We feel with his skill set, the way he spins the baseball, he has an opportunity to make it to the major leagues. That’s the ultimate goal.”

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Garcia in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Metropolitan State University in Denver.

The Monarchs (55-37) have already clinched an American Association playoff spot. Their first playoff game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3 (time, location and opponent to be determined).

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— Jerry Del Priore