During spring training a year ago, Rockies manager Bud Black wandered over to the minor league side of the club’s Salt River complex where he came upon right-hander Rico Garcia throwing a bullpen session.
Black didn’t know who Garcia was, but from what he saw that day he was intrigued enough to immediately find out his name. Since then, he’s kept an eye on his progress.
“I stopped because I liked the arm action, and the ball was coming out good,” Black said. “I asked the minor league coaches who he was and from that point on, I sort of followed him in the Cal League where he pitched well (with Class-A Advanced Lancaster).