DENVER – History is set to be made for MSU Denver Baseball on Monday night.
Former Roadrunner pitcher Julian Garcia will make his Major League Baseball debut for the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first player in program history to appear in a Major League game.
The 31-year-old right-hander earns his long-awaited opportunity after putting together an outstanding season at Triple-A, where he has posted a 3.03 ERA while striking out hitters at an impressive 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
Garcia's call-up marks a milestone moment not only for his professional career but also for the MSU Denver baseball program, which has never had a former student-athlete reach the major leagues.
A native of Fort Collins, Colorado, Garcia's journey to the big leagues began at MSU Denver, where he established himself as one of the top pitchers in program history.
During his sophomore season in 2016, Garcia rewrote the Roadrunner record book, setting a school record with 95 strikeouts while earning First Team All-RMAC honors. He also claimed RMAC Pitcher of the Week accolades four times during the season, cementing his status as one of the conference's premier arms.
His dominant season led to another historic moment for the program when the Philadelphia Phillies selected Garcia in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Draft with the 287th overall pick.
The selection made Garcia the highest MLB Draft pick in school history, surpassing former Roadrunner pitcher Todd Goergen, who had previously held the distinction after being selected by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1988 draft.
Nearly a decade later, Garcia's perseverance and dedication have culminated in an even bigger accomplishment.
Over the course of his professional career, Garcia steadily climbed through the minor leagues, battling through adversity while continuing to chase his dream of reaching the majors. His stellar season at Triple-A made him one of the most effective arms in professional baseball and ultimately earned him the opportunity to pitch on the sport's biggest stage with the Reds.
Garcia's debut represents a landmark moment for MSU Denver Athletics and serves as an inspiration for future generations of Roadrunner baseball players.
From setting strikeout records in Denver to becoming the highest MLB Draft pick in school history and now reaching the major leagues, Garcia's journey has become one of the greatest success stories in program history.
On Monday night, he will make history once again as the first Roadrunner to take the mound in a Major League Baseball game.
