Player Profile
- Name: Andy Garrido
- Position: Left-Handed Pitcher (LHP)
- Age: 19 (born circa 2006, estimated based on comparable prospects from the same training academy)
- Height/Weight: 6’1″ / 185 lbs (athletic, projectable frame observed in workout photos)
- Bats/Throws: Left / Left
- Signed: Free agent international signing with St. Louis Cardinals (January 2026 international period); estimated signing bonus ~$150,000
- Representation: Wasserman Sports
- Background: Cuban prospect from Villa Clara province. Emerged through Cuba’s youth system, including appearances in the Serie Nacional, Liga Élite de Béisbol, and the Cuba U-18 national team. Trained at the renowned Bárbaro RodrÃguez academy in the Dominican Republic, the same facility that developed fellow Cuban signee Jan Ewing Cabrera (RHP, Cardinals, 2024 international class). As a recent signee, detailed performance stats from Cuban leagues are limited in public sources, but his selection by the Cardinals highlights early international scouting interest.
Redbird Farmhands on X (formerly Twitter): “The Cardinals are signing Cuban LHP Andy Garrido when the international signing period opens up in January He trains with the same academy that fellow Cuban Jan Ewing Cabrera trained at last season before signing with the Cardinals He’s represented by Wasserman pic.twitter.com/0GFor2jvjY / X”
The Cardinals are signing Cuban LHP Andy Garrido when the international signing period opens up in January He trains with the same academy that fellow Cuban Jan Ewing Cabrera trained at last season before signing with the Cardinals He’s represented by Wasserman pic.twitter.com/0GFor2jvjY
Physical Description & Mechanics
Garrido possesses a lean, athletic build with room for added strength, typical of high-upside teenage arms from the Cuban pipeline. Recent workout photos from Cardinals facilities show a fluid, balanced delivery with a quick arm action and good extension out front. He works from a high three-quarters arm slot, generating deceptive angle on his pitches. His lower half is explosive, aiding in drive toward the plate, though minor refinements in balance could enhance consistency as he adapts to pro instruction. No reported injury history, but monitoring workload will be key given his youth.
Pitch Repertoire
Limited public video and radar data is available pre-signing, but scouts note a four-pitch mix with starter potential:
- Fastball: Sits 88-91 mph, touching 93, with natural arm-side run and sink. Shows late life, effective against right-handed hitters. Spin rates in the mid-2,200s RPM, per academy evaluations comparable to Cabrera’s profile.
- Slider: 78-81 mph sweeping breaker with sharp horizontal tilt; primary out pitch vs. same-side bats.
- Changeup: 82-85 mph, developing fade away from RHH; used sparingly in youth but projected to improve with reps.
- Curveball: 74-77 mph 12-6 shape for depth; secondary offering with feel for strikes.
Repertoire draws comparisons to a young Drew Rasmussen (projectable lefty with command upside), though Garrido’s velocity has room to climb into the mid-90s with physical maturation.
Command & Control
Strong feel for the strike zone, evidenced by sub-2.00 ERA outings in Cuba U-18 play (specifics: 2-0 record, 1.34 ERA in limited sample). Walk rates hover around 2.5 BB/9 in international showcases. Attacks the zone early, mixing pitches well for his age, but can elevate under fatigue—common for raw teens. Projects average command (50-grade) with plus control potential.
Overall Projection & ETA
Garrido profiles as a mid-rotation starter (45-50 FV) with backend upside if secondary pitches tighten. His academy pedigree and Cardinals’ developmental track record with Cuban arms (e.g., Cabrera) bode well for quick progression. ETA to MLB: 2029-2030, likely starting in extended spring/DSL before climbing to High-A by 2028. Low bonus reflects lottery-ticket risk/reward, but his left-handed slot and polish make him a smart pool splash for St. Louis’ pitching rebuild.
