Linkin Garcia was the third-leading run producer on the Texas Tech baseball team this season, and now the member of the Big 12’s all-freshman team is headed to an in-state rival.
On Wednesday, June 3, Garcia announced he’s committed to Texas via the NCAA transfer portal. The portal is open for undergraduate college baseball players from June 1-30.
Garcia, 6-foot-5 and 218 pounds, started every game this season — 30 at shortstop, 25 at third base — for a Texas Tech team that finished 27-28 and 10-20 in the Big 12. He batted .338 with 4 home runs and 59 runs batted in.
Garcia was among Texas Tech’s first four entrants into the portal, along with first baseman-designated hitter Hollis Porter, shortstop-third baseman Luke Orfi and catcher Davis Rivers. Rivers announced his plans to transfer to Louisiana-Monroe.
Texas Tech posted a losing record for the second year in a row and missed the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row. Tech athletics director Kirby Hocutt said shortly after the season ended that Tim Tadlock will continue as the Red Raiders’ head coach.
His roster needs significant help both with pitchers and position players. The staff posted a 7.92 earned-run average. The offense that averaged a Big 12-best 8.6 runs per game will lose many of its weapons.
Left fielder Logan Hughes, designated hitter Caden Ferraro and catcher Matt Quintanar are likely to be drafted, and draft-eligible sophomore third baseman Conner Shouse could be, too. First baseman Robin Villeneuve and second baseman Tracer Lopez completed their eligibility.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Infielder Linkin Garcia is leaving Texas Tech baseball for Texas
Reporting by Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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By Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY Network
