Brewers Draft Star Pitcher
Milwaukee Brewers Draft 18-Year-Old Julian Garcia, MaxPreps California Player of the Year
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The Milwaukee Brewers selected 18-year-old right-hander Julian Garcia in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, taking one of California's top prep pitchers out of St. John Bosco High School. Garcia was named the 2026 MaxPreps California Player of the Year, according to jsonline.com.
Garcia posted a 1.86 ERA this past season while striking out 204 batters against just 38 walks. He is expected to sign with Milwaukee despite holding a scholarship offer from Long Beach State, per sports.yahoo.com.
Garcia's Dominant Senior Season at St. John Bosco
Garcia's numbers this season were hard to ignore. He struck out 204 batters, the kind of total that rivals many college pitchers. His 1.86 ERA showed he was nearly impossible to score against. He also limited walks, issuing just 38 all season — a sign of strong command for an 18-year-old, according to marshfieldnewsherald.com.
St. John Bosco High School is a well-known baseball program in Southern California. It has produced several pro prospects over the years. Garcia's performance there earned him the MaxPreps California Player of the Year award, which goes to the top high school baseball player in the state, per htrnews.com.
Brewers End Six-Year Drought on Pitching Picks
Garcia is a notable pick for Milwaukee beyond just his stats. According to sports.yahoo.com, he is the Brewers' first prep pitcher taken in the draft since 2018. That is an eight-year gap. The team had leaned heavily on college hitters and position players in recent drafts.
Taking a high school pitcher in the fourth round signals that Milwaukee sees long-term upside in Garcia. High school arms carry more risk than college players. But they also offer more projection — the chance that their stuff gets even better as they develop physically over the next few years.
College Offer on the Table But Pro Path Looks Clear
Garcia held a scholarship offer from Long Beach State before the draft. That gave him a fallback option if he went undrafted or didn't like the money offered. But according to wisconsinrapidstribune.com, he is expected to sign with the Brewers and begin his pro career.
Fourth-round picks typically receive slot bonus money set by MLB. Signing him away from a college commitment may require the Brewers to meet or exceed that figure. The expectation that he will sign suggests both sides are close to a deal, per postcrescent.com.
What Garcia's Profile Means for Milwaukee's Farm System
Garcia gives the Brewers a high-ceiling arm to develop. At 18, he has time on his side. His strikeout rate — 204 punchouts in a high school season — points to a power pitcher with real bat-missing ability. That is exactly the kind of arm that can climb quickly through a minor league system, according to stevenspointjournal.com.
Milwaukee has built its roster around pitching depth in recent years. Adding a California Player of the Year at the prep level fits that model. Garcia will likely start in rookie ball and work his way up, with fans not expecting to see him in Milwaukee for at least two to three years.
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