Texas Tech University Athletics
Linkin Garcia named to Freshman of the Year Watch List
February 03, 2026 | Baseball
The California native was named the No. 9 candidate by Baseball America and No. 2 candidate from the Big 12
LUBBOCK, Texas – After being named a top-25 Freshman in the country, Baseball America named Linkin Garcia one of its National Freshman of the Year candidates, Tuesday.
A native of Huntington Beach, Garcia was named the No. 9 candidate overall for the publications National Freshman of the Year award  and the No. 2 overall candidate in the Big 12 Conference.
The publication named freshman Jack Bauer its Preseason National Freshman of the Year.
Garcia arrives at Tech after spending a prep season at A3 Academy where he was teammates with fellow freshman Jake Spinder.
Prior to arriving at A3, Garcia was tabbed a top-100 recruit (No. 90) overall by Perfect Game. During the 2025 prep circuit, Garcia hit a loud .513 with six home runs and 48 RBIs in 119 at-bats.
Garcia also stole all eight bases he attempted and hit 11 doubles and three triples. The strong 2025 performance comes on the heels of a 2024 season that saw Garcia hit .425 in 32 games with four homers and 26 RBIs.
At the 2025 PG High School/Academies Showdown, Garcia led his A3 squad to the title earning the events MVP honors.
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A native of Huntington Beach, Garcia was named the No. 9 candidate overall for the publications National Freshman of the Year award  and the No. 2 overall candidate in the Big 12 Conference.
The publication named freshman Jack Bauer its Preseason National Freshman of the Year.
Garcia arrives at Tech after spending a prep season at A3 Academy where he was teammates with fellow freshman Jake Spinder.
Prior to arriving at A3, Garcia was tabbed a top-100 recruit (No. 90) overall by Perfect Game. During the 2025 prep circuit, Garcia hit a loud .513 with six home runs and 48 RBIs in 119 at-bats.
Garcia also stole all eight bases he attempted and hit 11 doubles and three triples. The strong 2025 performance comes on the heels of a 2024 season that saw Garcia hit .425 in 32 games with four homers and 26 RBIs.
At the 2025 PG High School/Academies Showdown, Garcia led his A3 squad to the title earning the events MVP honors.
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Players Mentioned
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