Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: 2020 Draft Pick Nick Garcia Debuts

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh pirates invested five of their six draft picks on college arms in last year’s draft. One made a strong first appearance last night.

Nick Garcia made his professional debut this past Wednesday. The right-hander, who was the Pirates’ third round selection in 2020, tossed three very solid innings of work. Garcia struck out three batters, allowed just one walk, one hit, and one earned run. Overall, he needed 46 pitches to get through these three innings of work.

Garcia is definitely one of the names to keep an eye on this season. Although he was a third round pick, many saw him as a potential prospect who could have been selected in the second round. Garcia was outstanding throughout college ball. He tossed 83 innings posting a 1.19 ERA, 1.44 FIP and .831 WHIP. While his 35.7 percent strikeout rate and 6.3 percent walk rate were outstanding marks, the most impressive part was he allowed zero home runs.

Garcia’s arsenal includes four offerings. This includes a fastball, slider, curveball and change-up. Garcia can run his four seamer up into the upper-90’s, but usually works in the 91-97 MPH range. Overall, his fastball, slider and change-up are all considered offering with average future grades and his curveball comes in with a 45-future grade.

Considering he transitioned from shortstop, the early signs are promising from Garcia.  He is an upside player who can find himself as a mid-rotations starter to being a backend of the bullpen guy. Apparently in the Fall of 2019, Garcia threw harder, and along with being a Cape Cod performer, made him a fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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As the Pittsburgh Pirates look to add valuable depth to their farm system, Nick Garcia represents another pitching prospect.  The club targeted pitching a season ago and Garcia, while likely having a longer developmental path for a college pitch, could be a guy who flies under the radar.  Last night was a good first outing, and Garcia will remain a pitcher to watch throughout the year.