In this new era of Detroit Tigers baseball, fans will quickly become familiar with a ton of new faces over the next few seasons, as the organization’s top prospects will continue to climb and make their way to the show.
However, one prospect who had a big chance to make his major league debut in 2018 looks to be unavailable for at least a full season.
#Tigers relief prospect Bryan Garcia to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2018 season, according to @247Sports sister site @InsideTheU… story: https://t.co/SqvNVQrE9t
— TigsTown (@TigsTown) February 6, 2018
Clarifying on Bryan Garcia: He will see Dr. James Andrews next week for recurring pain in elbow. No Tommy John surgery set at this point. https://t.co/8zuCyfdUma
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) February 6, 2018
Garcia, 22, was one of the organization’s biggest performers in 2017. He started at Class-A West Michigan and finished the year at Triple-A Toledo. Overall, Garcia appeared in 52 games and logged a 2.13 ERA, holding opponents to a batting average under .200 and fanning 100 batters in 73.2 innings of work.
The Miami-born and University of Miami product was a sixth-round pick of the Tigers back in 2016. He made 16 of his 17 appearances that rookie year at short-season Class-A Connecticut. Per MLB Pipeline, he was the Tigers’ No. 23 prospect entering the 2018 campaign.
Garcia, who was not among the 20+ non-roster players to receive an invite to spring training last month, was considered a heavy favorite to make his major league debut in 2018. Traditional recovery time for those needing to undergo Tommy John surgery can range anywhere between 12-18 months.
-BONUS CONTENT-
As previously reported and made official by the team late last month, the Tigers have formally invited over 20 non-roster players to spring training down in Lakeland. Among the more notable names include the team’s top draft pick in 2017, former University of Florida pitcher Alex Faedo.
See who else earned an invite to Lakeland, as pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camp next Wednesday, February 14.
https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-tigers-news/tsbalowski/detroit-tigers-announce-22-non-roster-invitees-spring-training-including-one-surprise/01-2018/101807/
