Former Fortitudo Bologna star and Team Italy favorite Robel Garcia signed a minor league contract with an invite to Chicago Cubs Spring Training on March 20, 2022. He has since been on fire in pursuit of another opportunity in MLB. The 29-year-old Italian-Dominican infielder was recognized by Minor League Baseball as International League Player of the Week for his accomplishments at the plate recently. Robel Garcia went 9-for-22 with six home runs and nine RBI from May 9-15, 2022 as a member of the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the organization that signed him when he impressed scouts playing for Team Italy in Arizona in 2018 and later made his MLB debut for the Chicago Cubs in 2019.
On July 4, 2019, he became the first Cubs player to homer and hit a triple in his first MLB start since Starlin Castro in 2010. Robel Garcia appeared in a total of 31 games in 2019 and compiled a .208 batting average with five homers and 11 RBI. He returned to MLB after the pandemic in 2021 with the Houston Astros and played in 46 games with a .151 batting average. In 28 games this year for the Iowa Cubs, the powerful switch-hitter is batting .311 (28-for-90) with six doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 21 RBI. He also leads in the team in homers and walks (18). Robel Garcia now patiently awaits for his next opportunity to play in MLB.
Forza #Italia!
by Roberto Angotti
(Photo of Robel Garcia playing for the Iowa Cubs courtesy of MiLB)
