Ball State University Athletics
All-Access: Perci Garner on Cusp of Major Leagues
August 25, 2016 | Baseball
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker has earned a lot of the attention this summer when it comes to Ball State baseball alums. Rightfully so. The hitter's clubbed 11 homeruns and is hitting .260 in his improbable rookie season. But don't forget about Perci Garner...the pitcher quietly making his way up the ranks and knocking on the MLB door.
Garner, drafted in the second round by the Phillies in 2010, was released by that club before the start of the 2015 season. That led to his hometown team, the Cleveland Indians, giving him a shot and the righty didn't disappoint. Garner spun a 2.93 ERA for Advanced-A Lynchburg last summer. This season, however, has a whole different vibe. Garner is 7-1 with a 1.62 ERA between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. With the Clippers alone, Garner is 2-0 with a 1.00 mark in 17 appearances. His ERA is the sixth lowest in the entire stateside Indians system for pitchers having made multiple appearances.
Earlier this week Columbus took a roadtrip to Victory field to play the Indianapolis Indians. Ball State All-Access headed down I-69 to the Circle City to catch up with the former Cardinal and chat about his baseball.....and football.....journey.
More information about Garner can be found at his MiLB.com bio here. For more information about the Cardinals fans can follow @BallStateBB on Twitter.
