Monarchs Ace, Ryan Garcia Signed to Cincinnati

Kansas City, KS — After a standout season in Kansas City, Manager Joe Calfapietra announced that All-Star pitcher, Ryan Garcia’s contract was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds organization Tuesday afternoon.

This came at no surprise as Garcia had the fourth lowest ERA in the league (3.10) and led the Monarchs in wins with an 8-4 record. The California native totaled 65 strikeouts in 69.2 innings of work while also having the lowest WHIP in the association at 1.06. Garcia talks about what this moment means and says, “When Joe told me I was speechless – He wanted to tell me face-to-face, so he picked me up from apartment – and said you are going to be a Cincinnati Red. I didn’t know what was going to happen next after being released in Mexico – but it all ends up working out. When we first heard the news, I was transported back to rock bottom in Mexico – thinking how is all this going to work out?”

It certainly worked out for the former UCLA All-American as he earned the Carbliss June Pitcher of the Month including a pair of nine strikeout performances. This earned Garcia the starting spot in the All-Star game while representing the West Division. He adds, “With the Monarchs you are surrounded by good people.  A lot of things pointed me here to the Monarchs. We appreciate the game and do not take that for granted. I think Joe (Calfapietra) does a good job getting good humans beings first – and good baseball players second.”

This is the fifth Monarch and fourth pitcher to return back to affiliated ball this season. It will be the first time Garcia has returned back to the MiLB since his elected free agency in November of 2025. Calfapietra mentions, “We are so happy for Ryan to have this opportunity with the Cincinnati Reds, it is so well deserved. He had done nothing but been an outstanding pitcher for us and a model human being in our community for the Monarchs.” Ryan had the support behind him and continued to believe in himself, “I want to give all Glory to God first.  There was uncertainty, but I had a lot of faith and trusted him.  Thank you to our Chaplin Paster Jason, he kept things in focus for me and the rest of the team. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be a Monarch.  Thank you to Joe for his belief in me and thank you to (Pitching Coach) Matt Hall for their help along the way as well as the entire Monarchs baseball organization.”

The Monarchs continue a pipeline to the Reds organization as this is the third player to get picked up by Cincinnati. The skipper adds, “He is going to be missed, but we are so happy that he has this opportunity to move on. Ryan is getting the opportunity that we are hoping for all of our deserving players on this ball club. We are very fortunate to have so many talented players and staff member’s is our organization.”