Garza Reinvents Yankees' International Scouting

Mario Garza has assumed directorship of the New York Yankees' international scouting department, tasked with revitalizing a division under intense scrutiny. His strategy is a significant departure, aiming to incorporate insights from education, mental conditioning, and performance science departments. This holistic approach seeks to move beyond traditional scouting by understanding players more deeply, both mentally and emotionally, to improve prospect success rates.

Garza's tenure began in January 2026, following years of significant financial investment in international prospects who ultimately did not pan out. This led to the dismissal of the previous director, Donny Rowland. General Manager Brian Cashman praised Garza's ability to connect with people and his strong baseball acumen, anticipating a successful relaunch of the department.

While Garza lacks direct scouting experience, his extensive background in player development includes managing lower-level minor league teams and serving in leadership roles in the Dominican Republic. He has cultivated deep relationships with Latin American players, understanding their challenges in adapting to new cultures and languages. His experience includes teaching English and discussing baseball concepts with prospects.

Despite past costly disappointments in international signings, the Yankees are leveraging their success in domestic amateur and pro scouting. Garza will collaborate with new hire Matt Slater, who brings 18 years of experience from the St. Louis Cardinals and advisory roles in Japan, to expand the Yankees' reach, particularly into Asian markets.

Signs of progress are emerging. In February 2026, the Yankees reached an agreement with 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Sebastian Perez for $1.6 million. Perez underwent the revamped pre-agreement scouting process, integrating elements from the Yankees' player development, analytics, and mental skills departments, aiming to quantify prospect potential before signing.