Former FIU pitcher Robert Garcia was drafted in the first round by the Hermosillo Naranjeros in the Mexican Pacific League Draft on Thursday.
Garcia, who recently graduated from FIU, was 5-5 with a 5.18 ERA last season. The right-hander led the FIU pitching staff with 81 strikeouts and held opponents to a .235 batting average.
Garcia had his best outing last season against Bethune-Cookman when the native of Mexico pitched a complete game, allowed one run and struck out 14 batters in a 3-1 victory. The performance earned Garcia the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week award for the week of April 17.