Garcia Becomes First Fireflies Royal

COLUMBIA, SC – Friday night, 2021 Columbia Fireflies shortstop Maikel Garcia made his Major League debut, entering as a defensive replacement for Bobby Witt Jr. in the sixth inning at Toronto. Garcia is the 16th former Columbia player to make his MLB debut and the second of the 2022 season, chasing Collin Holderman, who made his debut July 16 for the New York Mets.

The 22-year-old had one at-bat in the 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays, finishing the day 0-1 with a strikeout.

Garcia was the star of the show in Columbia in the 2022 campaign, playing in 51 games in the neon and navy while hitting .303 and showing off the best glove in Columbia’s infield. The defensive star hit 17 extra-base hits, including a single homer, which he slapped in his final game in a Fireflies uniform. The Venezuelan walked 38 times compared to striking out only 33 times and swiped 24 bags in the Low-A East League.

For more information about Columbia Fireflies players, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Columbia heads home July 22-24 after the All-Star Break for a weekend series. The Fireflies will have a t-shirt giveaway, a fireworks show and will host Night Under the Big Top, bringing the circus lifestyle to Segra Park. Saturday’s game caps off with the Fireflies shooting a man out of a cannon on the field prior to a Fireworks show! For tickets, visit FirefliesTickets.com.