BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
Former Edinburg North catcher Saul Garza announced Tuesday night on Twitter that he is committing to Louisiana State University.
“It’s a good school and a great program,” Garza said. “I am lucky to — one day — be a part of it.”
Garza will play this year at Howard Junior College, where he has been getting prepared for the upcoming season.
“(The LSU coaches) have been in contact with me and they showed that they had interest,” Garza said. “They talked to my family about it. I felt like they were genuine. What they had to offer was the program itself — LSU baseball. Getting to meet coach (Paul) Mainieri and his family, and the rest of the coaching staff and the program they have built over the past few years. … That’s why I decided that’s where I wanted to be.”
Garza considered starting his professional career last year, but after he wasn’t taken on the first day of the 2017 MLB Draft, Garza knew he would enroll with Howard.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Garza, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, with the 19th pick in the 31st round, even knowing he was unlikely to sign a contract.
During his senior season at Edinburg North in 2017, Garza hit .530 with 33 RBIs, 10 doubles, eight triples and three home runs to earn The Monitor’s 2017 All-Area Offensive Player of the Year award.
Garza said the moment he announced his decision was one he had visualized for years.
“It felt amazing. It was a huge relief,” Garza said. “Coming out of high school, I decided to go the JUCO route. It’s great knowing it paid off, and I am able to — next year —attend a great university such as LSU. … This year here at Howard I just got back to Big Spring, and I am to ready get after it with the guys. We have extremely high hopes for this year.”