Freddy Antonio García (born June 10, 1976 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He played for the Seattle Mariners from 1999 to 2004 but was traded to the White Sox on June 27, 2004 and soon after signed a three-year, US $27M deal with them.

Originally, García was signed by the Houston Astros as a non-draft amateur free agent in 1993. He was brought to Seattle in October 1998 in the same trade that sent pitcher Randy Johnson to the Astros. He made his debut in the 1999 season.

García exceeded expectations in his rookie season by handling one difficult role, namely that of the substitute for departed Johnson. Garcia was a stable and effective performer, rolling up 201 innings and compiling 17-8, 170 strikeouts, and a 4.07 of earned run average in 33 starts. After going for 9-5 in his sophomore year, he won 18, 16 and 12 the following three seasons.

García is a hard thrower with a fastball that can get into the 90s and a hard slider. He also throws a two-seamer, a curve and changeup. Sometimes, he uses his breaking ball while neglecting to establish the fastball. García works hard to hold baserunners with variety of pickoff moves. He pays as much attention to runners as any Seattle pitcher (he yielded just six stolen bases in 2003) and also helps himself defensively with good skills and instincts.

In five seasons García has a 72-43 record, with 737 strikeouts, 3.97 ERA, 8 complete games, and 4 shutouts in 989 innings pitched. In six post-season games he went 3-2, 32 SO, 3.71 ERA in 34 innings.

Highlights

• Twice All-Star (2001-02)
• Led league in ERA (2001)

See also

• List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

External links

• 2004 daily statistics at ESPN
• 1999-2003 statistics and analysis at Baseball Reference
• Page at Baseball Library