Houston Astros fans react to seeing pitcher Luis Garcia’s revamped delivery in spring training: "It’s not as fun" " Gonna miss the rockin’ the baby" 

The Houston Astros are looking to tame starting pitcher Luis Garcia, and fans are not happy about it. It's not the Astros' fault that they need to reign in Garcia's free-spirited – and lengthy – windup, rather because Major League Baseball is cracking down on it.

Garcia, more than most other pitchers, is the victim of a pair of new MLB guidelines: a tougher-enforced balk rule and a new pitch clock.

A valued member of the Houston Astros' starting staff, especially with the loss of Justin Verlander to the New York Mets, Garcia employs what is known as a "rock the baby" motion followed by "cha cha" steps on the mound before hurling the ball to the plate.

Pitchers league-wide will have 15 seconds to deliver their pitch with no one on base and 20 seconds with runners on base. MLB umpires have also been told to closer scrutinize whether a pitcher comes to a full stop with the ball before delivering the ball. Luis Garcia's motion strikes out on both counts.

Thus, the Houston Astros are working hard with their 26-year-old starter to streamline his delivery with the goal of not dishing out balls and balks all season long. Fans are not pleased with the early images emerging of Garcia's neutered delivery.

“We just had to get a hold of Luis and told him that it might not be allowed, so we need to practice something a little more traditional,” Houston pitching coach Josh Miller told MLB reporter Brian McTaggart. “If he's not able to use it anymore, it'll be a shame in my opinion. But like I said, I'm sure he'll adapt and do fine without it.”

Fans aren't so sure.

"The uniqueness of his delivery has played to some of his success," Miller told McTaggart in a report for Astros Beat.

Houston fans are curious as to whether having to tone down the antics will help, or hurt Garcia.

At least Houston Astros fans will always have their memories of "old" Luis Garcia.

Luis Garcia is one of the Houston Astros' most valuable pitchers

Luis Garcia of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox.

In just a skosh over two full seasons, Luis Garcia has already proven to be one of the top pitchers in the Astros' staff.

Garcia finished second in the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year balloting after going 11-8 with a 3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in his first full year. As a followup last year, he went 15-8 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 157 whiffs.