| Robel García | |
|---|---|
 Garcia with the LG Twins | |
| Second base /Left fielder | |
| Born: (1993-03-28)March 28, 1993 (age 32) Las Matas de Farfán,Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: July 3, 2019, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| KBO: July 26, 2022, for the LG Twins | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 1, 2021, for the Houston Astros | |
| KBO: October 5, 2022, for the LG Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .174 |
| Home runs | 6 |
| Runs batted in | 19 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Batting average | .206 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 19 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Robel Estiwal García Rodriguez[1] (born March 28, 1993) is an Italian-Dominican former professionalbaseballinfielder. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago Cubs andHouston Astros, and in theKBO League for theLG Twins.
García signed with theCleveland Indians as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic on June 20, 2010, at 17 years old. He made his professional debut with the rookie-levelArizona League Indians, hitting .164 over 43 appearances. García returned to the AZL Indians for the 2011 campaign, batting .284/.371/.544 with six home runs, 24 RBI, and seven stolen bases.[2]
García split the 2012 season between the Low-AMahoning Valley Scrappers and Single-ALake County Captains, hitting .217/.304/.301 with three home runs, 39 RBI, and five stolen bases across 119 combined appearances. García spent 2013 with both affiliates as well, playing in 67 games and slashing .207/.304/.356 with five home runs, 26 RBI, and seven stolen bases.[3] After four seasons, he was released by the Indians on his 21st birthday on March 28, 2014.[1] He had topped out in the Single–AMidwest League in 2012 and 2013.[4]
After his release, García moved toVerona to be with his Dominican-Italian wife and their children. He began playing independent baseball there in 2016 and joined Redskins Imola and thenFortitudo Bologna of theItalian Baseball League in 2017.[1] In 2018, he played forUnipolSai Bologna and was a member of theItaly national baseball team that played in the2018 Super 6 baseball tournament.[5]
After being spotted during an exhibition series for Italy in theArizona Instructional League, García signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs on October 31, 2018.[6] He started the 2019 season with the Double-ATennessee Smokies before being promoted to the Triple-AIowa Cubs after 22 games.[7]
On July 3, 2019, the Cubs selected García's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.[8] He made his debut that night as apinch hitter forBrandon Kintzler and struck out in his first at-bat.[9] On July 4, García tripled offJordan Lyles for his first MLB hit. He also singled and hit a solo home run in the game against thePittsburgh Pirates.
García was claimed off waivers by theCincinnati Reds on July 26, 2020.[10] García did not play in a game for Cincinnati in 2020.
On October 26, 2020, García was claimed off waivers by theNew York Mets.[11] On February 1, 2021, García was designated for assignment following the acquisition ofJordan Yamamoto.[12] On February 3, García was claimed off waivers by theLos Angeles Angels.[13] On February 25, García was designated for assignment by the Angels following the waiver claim ofJack Mayfield.[14]
On February 27, 2021, García was claimed off waivers by theHouston Astros.[15] García played in 46 games for the Astros in 2021, struggling to a .151 batting average with one home runs and eight RBI. On September 15, the Astros designated García for assignment.[16]On September 18, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-ASugar Land Skeeters.[17]
On March 21, 2022, García signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs.[18] García played in 41 games for the Triple-AIowa Cubs, hitting .295 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI. On June 4, the Cubs released García to allow him to pursue an opportunity overseas.[19]
On June 5, 2022, García signed with theLG Twins of theKBO League.[20] In 39 games for the Twins, he slashed .206/.308/.353 with four home runs, 19 RBI, and four stolen bases. García was released by the team on October 7.
On May 12, 2023, García signed with theLeones de Yucatán of theMexican League.[21] In 13 games, he batted .192/.309/.255 with nine hits and five RBI. García was released on May 30.[22]
On July 25, 2023, García signed with theUnipolSai Bologna of theItalian Baseball League.[23] In 3 games for Bologna, he went 2-for-7 (.286) with 3 RBI and 1 walk. García became a free agent following the season.
García is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and a naturalized Italian citizen. His wife, with whom he has at least three children, is Dominican-Italian.[1]