Scouting Report
Updated May 20, 2026
Rico Garcia, a 32-year-old Orioles reliever, has been exceptional in 2026, posting a 0.45 ERA (second-lowest among relievers) with a 0.47 ERA across 20 appearances and 19 innings. He has allowed just one hit all season (a solo homer to Michael Massey), making MLB history as the first pitcher to allow at most one hit in their first 20 appearances of a season. Garcia is batting .018 against, has a 0.42 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, and 7 walks. He features an elite slider and has become the top high-leverage option in Baltimore's bullpen with Ryan Helsley sidelined. Garcia is 3-0 with multiple scoreless appearances in high-pressure situations.
Strengths
- + Historic 1-hit performance through 20 appearances
- + Second-lowest ERA among MLB relievers (0.45)
- + Elite strikeout rate with 22 K's in 19 innings
- + Exceptional batting average against (.018)
- + Outstanding WHIP of 0.42
- + Perfect ninth-inning appearances
- + Developed elite slider with 56.4% whiff rate
- + High ground ball rate (54.3%, 90th percentile)
- + High average exit velocity allowed (83.1 mph)
- + Serving as top high-leverage reliever for Orioles
- + 3-0 record with multiple wins in clutch situations
Weaknesses
- - Age 32 - potential durability concerns
- - Limited sample size (19 innings) - sustainability questions
- - Historically high expectations may be difficult to maintain
About
Rony García is a rp for the Chicago Cubs.
Player Overview
RP
Chicago Cubs