- Height/Weight: 5’9”, 165 lbs
- DOB: June 4, 2005
- Bats/Throws: R/R
Alejandro Garza – affectionately nicknamed “Peanut” by teammates and fans for his smaller stature – has done nothing but hit since arriving at Cal Poly. In two seasons as the Mustangs’ everyday infielder, Garza has compiled a career .349 average and established himself as one of the toughest outs in college baseball. As a true freshman in 2024, Garza slashed .346/.388/.457, earned Big West Freshman Field Player of the Year honors and a first-team All-Big West selection. He struck out only 10 times all season in 235 plate appearances, an astounding display of contact ability that ranked him #2 in the nation in toughest-to-strike-out rate. He didn’t hit any home runs that year, but he sprayed 11 doubles and consistently came up with clutch hits. In 2025, Garza avoided any sophomore slump – in fact, he got even better. He was one of three Mustangs to start all 62 games and led the team with a .351 batting average. Over 262 at-bats he amassed 92 hits, 16 doubles, 6 home runs and 54 RBIs, slugging .481 and reaching base at a .408 clip. He also scored 57 runs to pace the offense. Importantly, Garza maintained his remarkable contact skills, punching out just 16 times all season. That equates to one strikeout every 16.4 at-bats, ranking him top-10 in the nation in toughest to strike out (9th nationally). He also drew 21 walks, so his BB/K ratio was positive (21:16) – rare for any hitter, let alone an underclassman. Along with teammate Ryan Fenn, Garza earned first-team All-Big West and second-team All-West Region honors for his phenomenal season. After firmly establishing himself as one of the Big West’s elite hitters, Garza took his talents to the Cape Cod League, joining Orleans for the summer. Despite facing strong pitching and wood bats, he continued to be a high-average bat, hitting .298 with a .357 OBP in 114 at-bats. He tallied 3 doubles, 1 homer and 16 RBIs for the Firebirds. True to form, he hardly struck out – only 12 Ks versus 11 walks all summer. Garza even proved his mettle by overcoming a mid-summer injury: a hit-by-pitch on the thumb that was expected to sideline him for two weeks, yet “Peanut” toughed it out and missed only seven days before returning to action, much to the admiration of coaches and teammates.
Garza’s offensive game is defined by exceptional contact ability and all-fields hitting. At 5’9” and 165 lbs, he is never going to be a pure power hitter, but he has a knack for hitting hard line drives from gap to gap. He utilizes a wide base in his stance, which gives him great balance and plate coverage. Garza can spoil pitcher’s pitches and rarely chases – that low strikeout rate reflects an advanced two-strike approach where he shortens up and puts the ball in play. Interestingly, as a sophomore he unlocked some power that wasn’t present in his freshman year – he went from 0 home runs in 2024 to 6 home runs in 2025. Those weren’t flukes either; many came from him turning on inside fastballs and driving them with surprising carry. He also racked up 16 doubles in 2025, showing that while he may be small, he can hit the ball with authority when he finds the barrel. Most of Garza’s hits are hard line drives middle-away – he’s very adept at letting the ball travel and lining pitches to right-center. That served him well on the Cape, where many of his base hits were opposite-field liners. Defensively, Garza is a steady and reliable infielder. He primarily mans third base for Cal Poly, but he’s also seen time at second base (he had a few starts at second as a freshman and could easily flip over there as needed). What he may lack in raw arm strength or range, he makes up for with sure hands, quick transfers, and a high baseball IQ. He made 32 multi-hit games in 2025 and also put together hitting streaks of 20 and 16 games, demonstrating consistency and the ability to adjust as pitchers try different tactics to get him out. By all accounts, Garza is also an excellent teammate and a gritty competitor – the kind of player who ignites a clubhouse with his energy and determination (the quick return from a painful HBP is evidence of that toughness).
Player Profile
Build: Small and compact. Listed at 5’9”, 165 lbs, Garza is shorter than the typical pro infield prospect, but he’s well-conditioned and strong for his size. He has a low center of gravity and a “spark plug” build – think Dustin Pedroia-esque. His stature earned him the nickname “Peanut,” but despite being undersized, he holds his own physically on the field.
Offensive Approach: Elite contact hitter with a line-drive, opposite-field approach. Garza sets up with a notably wide base and minimal stride, which keeps him very balanced through his swing. He tracks the ball extremely well and has quick, educated hands. With two strikes, he’ll shorten up and just try to put the ball in play, often fouling off tough pitches until he gets one he likes. He is comfortable hitting behind in the count and rarely gets himself out by chasing. Garza’s approach is to use the whole field – he loves shooting line drives into right-center and up the middle. Even on the Cape with high-level pitching, he stuck to this plan and hit just under .300, mostly with singles and a few doubles the other way. He doesn’t try to do too much; he knows his game and executes it.
Bat Speed & Impact: While not blessed with huge raw power, Garza has quick hands and excellent bat-to-ball skills. His bat speed is solid average, and because his swing path is so efficient, he can catch up to good velocity. The impact he generates is more pronounced than you’d expect from his frame – he can backspin balls into the gaps and occasionally will drive one out to left field when he really turns on it. In 2025 he “erupted” for six homers after having none the year before, indicating that as he gains experience and confidence, he’s learning which pitches he can elevate. Still, power is his least present tool; he’s more likely to hit 15+ doubles and a handful of homers than to ever be a double-digit home run guy consistently. His career slugging at Cal Poly (.445) is respectable and comes from his ability to square up a high volume of pitches. Every now and then, Garza will really flash unexpected pop – for example, he had 7 triples in a high school season and frequently drives balls over outfielders’ heads. Pitchers cannot sleep on him, or he will make them pay.
Defense & Athleticism: Garza is a fundamentally sound defender at both third base and second base. He’s not the fastest runner or the biggest arm on the field, but his defensive game is about reliability. At third, he has solid reactions and can handle hot shots well, using his body to knock down balls and his quick exchange to compensate for just average arm strength. He makes the routine plays very consistently and rarely boots grounders hit at him. When playing second, his range is adequate and he turns the double play smoothly. His arm from second is plenty strong (he pitched some in high school, indicating a decent arm). Overall, you’d grade his defense as average to slightly above – he’s not a plus-plus defender, but he’s sure-handed and heady, which is exactly what you want from an infielder. His toughness and competitiveness also shine through on defense; he’s the type who will dive for anything he can get to. Athletically, he’s more quick than fast, and his smaller frame gives him good agility. He’s durable too – played in every game in 2025 (62 starts) and even when banged up, he finds a way to contribute.
Base Running: High-IQ base runner who maximizes his tools. Garza’s pure speed is around average – he’s not going to steal a ton of bases (career 4-for-4 on steals in college), but he’s an efficient runner. Where he stands out is in taking extra bases and reading the game. He scored 57 runs in 62 games in 2025, leading the team, which speaks to his ability to get himself into scoring position and take advantage of opportunities. He goes first-to-third on singles when he can, and he’ll score from second on most base hits due to great anticipation and aggressive yet smart running. Essentially, Garza won’t be a big base-stealer at the next level, but he will not make mistakes on the bases and will find ways to advance opportunistically. His “motor” is always running – a reflection of his gritty playing style.
Projection
Garza is the quintessential “undersized overachiever” who has a chance to force his way into pro ball by virtue of his hit tool and makeup. At the collegiate level, he’s already a star – a two-time first-team All-Big West selection by age 20. Entering 2026, he will again be one of the conference’s top hitters and a leader for Cal Poly. For the professional projection, the obvious concern is size/strength and how that will translate against higher velocity and better breaking stuff. However, players with Garza’s hand-eye coordination and batting feel often find a way. He profiles as a high-contact, high-OBP infielder at the next level, perhaps similar to a David Eckstein or Tommy La Stella type of career path. He may never hit for much power in pro ball, but if he can hit .300 and rarely strike out, a team will find value in that. His likely role projection would be as a utility infielder who can provide a spark off the bench – someone you bring in knowing he’ll put the bat on the ball in a pinch-hit situation. Defensively, he can handle second and third, and with his arm and instincts, he could probably even spot at shortstop in a pinch (though his range might be stretched there). One thing working in Garza’s favor is that contact skills are at a premium in today’s game; his ability to avoid Ks and put pressure on defenses will stand out to scouts. He’ll need to continue showing extra-base ability (those 16 doubles and 6 homers in 2025 were very encouraging) so pitchers can’t just challenge him without fear. If he can demonstrate that the power threat is at least credible, his offensive profile becomes that much more viable. Intangibles-wise, Garza’s toughness and winning mentality will be a plus in evaluators’ eyes – he’s the kind of player who becomes a clubhouse favorite. In summary, Garza projects as a potential late-round draft pick or priority free agent who, if given the opportunity, could climb the ladder as a pesky contact hitter. His ceiling might be an everyday second baseman who hits for average and plays solid defense, while his floor is a high-performing minor leaguer who provides organizational depth and leadership. Don’t bet against “Peanut” – he’s made a habit of exceeding expectations at every level so far.
| Hit | Power | Run | Field | Ovr |
| 60 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Big West Dugout 