Fullerton, CA - Hector Garcia of Hope International baseball has been drafted by the Minnesota Twins on the third day of the MLB draft at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA.

The junior RHP from Fullerton, CA was selected by the Twins in Round 18 as pick 537. Garcia has been one of the best pitchers in Royals history compiling an 18-1 record with a 2.97 ERA to go with 273 strikeouts in four seasons. A two time GSAC Pitcher of the Year and two time NAIA All-American (HM) Garcia set a new single season Royals record for strikeouts per 9 innings with a 14.86 in 2023 and ranks in the top five all-time in wins (2nd), strikeouts (1st), ERA (5th) and innings pitched (2nd) with 182. Garcia becomes the fourth Royal to be drafted and first under Head Coach Larry Mahoney. Garcia is the third Royals pitcher to be drafted after Justin Friedman was taken by the Chicago White Sox and Shaine McNeely was taken by the New York Yankees in 2019. Garcia now joins Friedman, McNeely, and Cameron Baranek who was taken by the Miami Marlins in 2017 as the only Royals players to be drafted. 

Congratulations Hector!