Santiago Garcia, a right‑handed reliever who concluded his college career at Louisiana State University, was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 12th round of the 2026 MLB Draft. The selection marks the culmination of a journey that began at Central Arizona Community College and later took him to the University of Oregon before he transferred to Baton Rouge.
A LSU Legacy Takes a New Turn
During his final season with the Tigers, Garcia appeared in 21 relief outings, recording two saves and striking out 35 batters over 22.2 innings. His 5.96 earned‑run average reflected a period of adjustment, but the volume of strikeouts highlighted his raw talent and potential to contribute at the professional level.
Head coach Jay Johnson frequently turned to Garcia in high‑leverage situations, a testament to the confidence the staff placed in the pitcher’s composure and stuff when the game hung in the balance.
Garcia joins a growing list of LSU alumni being drafted in the 2026 class, becoming the third former Tiger pitcher to hear his name called, following Deven Sheerin and Grant Fontenot. The achievement underscores the program’s continued pipeline to Major League Baseball.