Robel García #71

Signed with Cleveland as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic on Feb. 2, 2010... signed by Cleveland scouts Ramon Pena, Felix Nivar, and Marcelimo Vallejo...Possesses dual citizenship between the Dominican Republic and Italy...Went overseas after he was released by Cleveland during 2014 Spring Training...played in 2016 with independent Imola (Italy) before spending the following two seasons with Fortitudo Bologna, (also known as UnipolSai Bologna for sponsorship reasons)... helped Bologna to the 2018 Italian Baseball Championship...Cubs scout Gabe Zappin saw him while playing in Arizona for Team Italy in an Oct. 2018 Instructional League game...signed with the Cubs four weeks later... signed a minor league contract with the Cubs prior to the 2019 season... has since been claimed off waivers by Cincinnati, New York (NL), Los Angeles (AL), and Houston... is signed to a one-year contract through the 2021 season... was leading the Triple-A International League in OPS (1.013) when he was released by the Cubs on June 4, 2022 so he could pursue a contract in South Korea with the KBO League’s LG Twins... the LG Twins signed Garcia on June 5, 2022 for $180K... hit .295/.394/.619 with 12 home runs in 165 PA with Triple-A Iowa before joining the KBO.

2020

Did not appear in a game during the pandemic shortened season...Attended Spring Training and Summer Camp with the Cubs...was claimed off waivers by the Reds on July 26 and assigned to the club's Alternate Training Site in Mason, Ohio...Served as the 29th player for the Reds doubleheader on Aug. 19 at KC but did not enter either game...Was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Oct. 26...Was claimed off waivers by the Angels on Feb. 3, 2021.

2019

Robel had a breakout season with 27 minor league homers and made his major league debut with the Cubs in July...batted .208 (15-for-72) with two doubles, two triples and five homers in 31 games with the Cubs...Went 3-for-5 with a triple and solo homer in his first major league start, July 4 at Pittsburgh...marked his first career hit, homer, RBI and run scored...Batted .286 (10-for-35) with two doubles, two triples and four homers in his first 13 major league contests...Ranked second at Triple-A Iowa with 21 homers in 76 games played...made his season debut at Double-A Tennessee, appearing in 22 games before his Triple-A promotion.