Since coming over from the Dodgers, the 38 year old fire baller has been lights out in the Nationals bullpen
He is not even the most famous Luis Garcia on his own team, but Luis Garcia the pitcher has been lights out since coming to DC. Garcia struggled with the Dodgers this season, but has figured something out since coming to DC. He has quickly become one of the most reliable arms in the Nats bullpen, and could even have some trade value.
Luis Garcia is a bit of a freak of nature. Despite being 38 years old, he still throws absolute bullets. Last night he hit 100 MPH multiple times. Outside of Aroldis Chapman, it is tough to think of many players around that age that can hit 100.
Luis Garcia (the pitcher, not the second baseman) just threw a 99.9 mph fastball.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 26, 2025
Since joining the Nats, Garcia has a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings. He has allowed just three hits and one walk in those frames. The ball has just been jumping out of his hand as well. Since coming over, he has looked like the bullpen arm that could net the Nats a big return, not Kyle Finnegan. The way he overwhelmed Byron Buxton was insane to watch.
It is not like Garcia is some unknown commodity. He actually made his debut all the way back in 2013 with the Phillies. He has had some excellent seasons in his long, but up and down career.
In 2017, he had a 2.65 ERA in 66 appearances. He also had very good seasons in 2015, 2021 and 2022. The stuff has always been there, which is why he has stuck around the league for so long. Garcia has always given teams something to dream on.
Believe it or not, Garcia has been in the Nationals organization before. All the way back in 2010, Garcia made 32 appearances for Nats Minor League teams. Now, 15 years later, it has come full circle and he is pitching for the big leagues for that same organization.
It is a cool story. A guy who was struggling with the Dodgers just came to the Nats and unlocked a new gear in his game at 38 years of age. It might sound far fetched, but with the way Garcia is throwing the ball, a team might give the Nats some sort of Minor League body at the deadline. However, it could be worth keeping the grizzled veteran around to stabilize the ship and mentor some of the young guys in the ‘pen.
Between Garcia and Konnor Pilkington, it is exciting to finally have a pair of reliable arms to count on. Having a terrible bullpen is the worst feeling. You are in a constant state of anxiety as a fan, even when the team is winning by a lot. It can all come crumbling down at any moment.
I have to give praise to any pitcher that helps make that feeling go away. So far, you feel safe when Luis Garcia is on the mound. Who knows if that will last, but it is nice to have a reliable, hard throwing weapon in the middle of the bullpen.