1. Overview
Onelki García (Onelki GarcíaSpanish), born on August 2, 1989, is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican League. His extensive professional career spans multiple prominent baseball leagues, including Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan where he played for the Chunichi Dragons and Hanshin Tigers, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan with the CTBC Brothers. Before his international career, García began his baseball journey in the Cuban National Series and later defected from Cuba to pursue opportunities in professional baseball in the United States. His career highlights include an All-Star selection in Japan and a Mexican League Championship with the Leones de Yucatán.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Onelki García's early life saw him develop his baseball skills in Cuba, where he began his amateur career before transitioning to international professional leagues. His initial foray into organized baseball was within the Cuban National Series, the top league in his home country.
2.1. Birth and Cuban National Series
Onelki García was born on August 2, 1989, in Cuba. He began his career in the Cuban National Series at the age of 18. During his three seasons playing for the Guantánamo team, García accumulated a win-loss record of 12 wins and 12 losses, alongside an earned run average (ERA) of 4.73.
2.2. Defection and MLB Draft Eligibility
In August 2010, García defected from Cuba with the aspiration of pursuing a professional baseball career in the United States. Initially, he was declared eligible for the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft, but his eligibility status was later revoked due to unresolved issues concerning his residency. A year later, after resolving the residency concerns, he became eligible and was subsequently drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.
3. Professional Baseball Career
Onelki García's professional baseball career is marked by his extensive play across various international leagues, demonstrating his versatility and persistence. He has pitched in Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, the Chinese Professional Baseball League, and the Mexican League.
3.1. Major League Baseball (MLB)
García's career in Major League Baseball included stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals, encompassing both minor league development and brief appearances at the sport's highest level.
3.1.1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Onelki García began his professional career within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, starting with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He made one start for the Quakes, recording four strikeouts over two innings pitched. In 2013, he started the season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before being promoted to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in August of the same year. Across both Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2013, García appeared in 35 games, starting six of them, and posted a 2-4 record with a 2.90 ERA.
On September 11, 2013, the Dodgers purchased his contract and called him up to the Major Leagues, marking his MLB debut that evening against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his debut, he faced one batter and issued a walk. Over three games for the Dodgers in September 2013, he pitched a total of 1 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on one hit and four walks. Notably, he is the first and only player in Major League Baseball history to wear the jersey number 98. Following this period, García missed the entire 2014 season as he underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason.
3.1.2. Chicago White Sox
On November 20, 2014, Onelki García was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. He was later removed from the 40-man roster on April 3, 2015, and sent outright to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. During the 2015 season, García split his time between the Double-A Birmingham Barons and the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. Across 38 appearances that year, he recorded a cumulative 4.82 ERA with 72 strikeouts and three saves. The White Sox organization released García on March 21, 2016.
3.1.3. Kansas City Royals
On October 21, 2016, García signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals organization. His contract was selected by the Royals on August 26, 2017, leading to his addition to their active roster. During his tenure with the Royals in MLB, he made two appearances, struggling to a 13.50 ERA with two strikeouts over six innings pitched. On September 12, he was designated for assignment by the team when they claimed Mike Morin off waivers. He subsequently cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers on September 14. On December 18, García was released by the Royals to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan.
3.2. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
Following his time in MLB, García embarked on a significant phase of his career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, playing for two prominent teams and achieving considerable success.
3.2.1. Chunichi Dragons
On December 20, 2017, Onelki García was confirmed to have signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball. His 2018 season with Chunichi was highly successful, as he made 27 appearances, compiling a 13-9 record and a 2.99 ERA with 132 strikeouts over 168 2/3 innings pitched. His strong performance earned him a selection to the 2018 NPB All-Star Game. However, despite his impressive season, the Dragons announced his release on December 1, 2018, stating that they failed to reach an agreement on the terms of a new contract.
3.2.2. Hanshin Tigers
On December 17, 2018, García signed a one-year contract with the Hanshin Tigers of NPB, valued at 1.50 M USD. In his first season with the Tigers in 2019, he made 21 appearances, recording a 6-8 record with a 4.69 ERA and 79 strikeouts across 103 2/3 innings pitched. He signed a one-year extension to remain with the Tigers on December 14, 2019. In 2020, García made 14 outings for the team, posting a 2-6 record with a 4.42 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 75 1/3 innings of work. On December 2, 2020, García became a free agent, concluding his time in Japan.
3.3. Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)
After his tenure in Japan, Onelki García briefly joined the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, though his time there was cut short due to medical reasons.
3.3.1. CTBC Brothers
On December 25, 2020, García signed a one-year deal with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, reportedly worth 500.00 K USD. However, his tenure with the team was brief. On March 15, 2021, the Brothers released García after he failed his physical examination. It was discovered upon his arrival in Taiwan that he had pre-existing shoulder and elbow injuries, which led to the termination of his contract.
3.4. Mexican League
Onelki García has had multiple tenures in the Mexican League, playing for several teams and contributing to a championship victory.
3.4.1. Diablos Rojos del México
On July 8, 2016, Onelki García signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. In 14 appearances, which included three starts, he recorded an 0-1 record with a 3.82 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 33 innings pitched. His initial period with the Diablos Rojos concluded with his release on September 23 of the same year.
3.4.2. Leones de Yucatán
On July 13, 2021, García signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. In 2022, he made six starts for the team, posting a 7.03 ERA with seven strikeouts over 24 1/3 innings pitched. Despite his individual performance, García was part of the Leones de Yucatán team that won the Mexican League Championship in 2022. He returned to the Leones for the 2023 season, where he recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.31 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 50 2/3 innings. He became a free agent following the 2023 season.
3.4.3. Charros de Jalisco
On May 26, 2024, García initially signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. However, he did not make an appearance for Tabasco as he was traded to the Charros de Jalisco on June 20, 2024. In his brief time with Jalisco, he pitched in three games, recording a 5.40 ERA with one strikeout over 3 1/3 innings pitched.
4. Awards and Achievements
Throughout his diverse professional baseball career, Onelki García has earned notable individual recognition and contributed to team successes.
4.1. NPB All-Star Selection
Onelki García was selected to the 2018 NPB All-Star Game, a significant highlight during his successful season with the Chunichi Dragons. This selection acknowledged his strong performance and consistency as a pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball during that year.
4.2. Mexican League Championship
In 2022, Onelki García was a member of the Leones de Yucatán team that clinched the Mexican League Championship. This team victory represents a significant achievement in his professional career, marking him as a part of a championship-winning squad in one of Latin America's premier baseball leagues.