Grambling State University catcher John Garcia was selected in the nineteenth round (583th overall pick) by the Houston Astros making him the second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) player selected in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.
Garcia, a 6-0, 190 junior from the Bronx, New York was drafted primarily as a catcher.
Garcia was a big part of Grambling’s offense exhibiting power at the plate. He was among the nation’s leaders in numerous NCAA Division I statistical categories as he finished the season with 79 hits, a .409 batting average (rank 4th in the nation), scored 55 runs with 18 doubles, 2 triples and 10 home runs. His 67 runs batted in tied with Texas Southern’s Gabe Vasquez for the most runs batted in this past season in the SWAC. As well, Garcia finished the season with a .679 slugging percentage, and a .515 on base percentage which rank 4th nationally.
Garcia is one of the best catch and throw guys in the country. The arm is electric, and he should control the run game in the major leagues that has a lot of good base stealers. Behind the plate Garcia has an array of athleticism and quality defensive actions, plus he has a gun for an arm.
Garcia earned the first-team Black College Nines All-Elite team and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) honors this season.