Eric Garcia signs pro contract with Phillies

Eastern Florida State College baseball pitcher Eric Garcia has signed a professional contract to play with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Garcia, who pitched with the Titans for two seasons, signed the contract on Tuesday afternoon in Clearwater with his mom, dad and siblings with him.

"I feel like many can relate to me, but this has been my dream since I was a child, I started playing at five years old and fell in love with the game. It was nothing more than a dream and now that it is a reality it is just so surreal." 

Garcia pitched out of the bullpen for two seasons with the Titans and had a 2-2 record and two saves in 28 appearances with a 3.09 ERA. The 6-foot-5 right hander from Melbourne struck out 43 hitters in 32 innings.

"It really started when coach Brown gave me the opportunity to come into games in tight situations either to save the game or hold the lead, I knew I had to perform well and from there my confidence just grew," Garcia said. "I have always kept up with the Phillies, it is home to so many great players, and I am excited to be a part of the franchise … they are now my favorite team."

The Palm Bay Magnet High School graduate will be assigned to the Florida Complex League and will be available when the Phillies play the Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Merchant Stadium in Lakeland Wednesday at noon.

"My first call was to a longtime family friend and coach Arnie Munoz - he has been there since day 1," Garcia said. "I called him and let him know that all of the time he spent with me, all those sweaty days that I wanted to take a break, but we kept at it have paid off. I had to make sure that those efforts are not taken for granted."

A couple of former Titans were drafted during the Major League Baseball draft last week.

Former pitcher Tyler Vogel was picked by the San Francisco Giants in the 12^th round after being the closer for Jacksonville University last season.

With the Titans the right hander from Dunedin struck out more than a batter per inning with a 4.01 ERA over two seasons as a starter.

Former pitcher Andrew Walters was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the first pick of the 18^th round. Walters, a right hander from Palm Bay, has a 2.00 ERA as both a starter and reliever in his one season with the Titans.

He transferred to the University of Miami where he went 0-1 with 14 saves and a 1.57 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings in 43 appearances with one start. He had a WHIP of 0.82.