The St. Louis Cardinals announced their Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Month for July by honoring Springfield (AA) outfielder Anthony Garcia and Palm Beach (A) right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver, for their accomplishments on the field.
Garcia, 23, was the Cardinals 18th round (545th overall) selection out of San Juan Educational School (Puerto Rico) in the 2009 first-year Player Draft. In 14 games at Springfield, Garcia batted .327 with a home run, 10 RBI, .426 on base percentage and an .888 on-base plus slugging. He currently leads the Texas League in reaching base safely in 27 consecutive road games since May 9. While representing his home country of Puerto Rico in the Pan-American Games in Canada, Garcia batted .393 (11-28) and led the tournament field with five home runs, 17 RBI and a .964 slugging percentage over eight games while primarily playing right field. Against Colombia on July 15, Garcia hit a grand slam in the seventh inning and a game-ending home run in the ninth posting a six RBI day. This is Garcia’s second Minor League Player of the Month Award, earning the honor in June 2013 while at Palm Beach.
“Anthony put together a productive month in July, including his performance in the Pan-American Games,” said Gary LaRocque, Cardinals Director of Player Development.
Weaver, 21, the Cardinals 1st round (27th overall) selection out of Florida State University in the 2014 first-year player draft, made five starts in July, posting a 3-1 record and an 0.94 ERA, which ranked sixth among all Single-A pitchers in the month. The right-hander threw 28.2 innings with 27 strikeouts and did not allow more than one run in any start with two scoreless starts. He issued just two walks during the month and has not issued a free pass in his last 22.0 innings.
“Luke is continuing with a strong second half at Palm Beach,” said LaRocque.
