SF Giants release former MiLB Rule 5 pick from Double-A roster

The SF Giants trimmed organizational headcount by one over the weekend. Former Rule 5 pick and pitching prospect Nick Garcia was released from the Richmond Flying Squirrels' roster, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants release former MiLB Rule 5 pick from Double-A roster

Richmond welcomed back speedy outfielder Carter Howell, but they needed to make a corresponding move. Howell is in his second season with the Flying Squirrels, and he has put up a .565 OPS with three home runs and eight RBI in 171 plate appearances this year.

Overall, the right-handed bat has put together quality numbers in the minors, recording a .748 OPS across four seasons. He has also swiped 32 bases in 45 opportunities.

Unfortunately, Garcia was moved off the roster to make room for Howell. Garcia was originally a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Chapman University in 2020. He is local to the Bay Area, growing up in Redwood City and attending Serra High School.

The Giants added Garcia along with Dariel Lopez in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft in 2023. In that same draft, they lost Hayden Cantrelle, Sean Roby, and P.J. Hilson.

The minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft usually helps add depth to the organization. However, the addition of Garcia and Lopez felt like more than that. Lopez offered some power upside, whereas Garcia had a track record in the minors.

In his first year with the Giants organization, the right-handed pitcher did nicely with Richmond. He posted a 1.54 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 14 walks in 35 innings before getting promoted to the Sacramento River Cats. He struggled to a 6.04 ERA in 16 outings following his promotion, and returned to Double-A to start this season.

Garcia tallied an 8.04 ERA in 15.2 innings this season before being released. Richmond's bullpen has some struggling arms, so his performance was not all that unique.

The 2025 season has been a rough one for the Flying Squirrels, as they sit in last place in the Southwest Division of the Eastern League with a 15-36 record. They do have some quality rotation arms, including Joe Whitman, John Michael Bertrand, Seth Lonsway, and Jack Choate. Plus, Bryce Eldridge remains the organization's top prospect.