White Sox: Avisail Garcia to Log Time in Right Field
By Matt Manetti
The White Sox plan on playing Avisail Garcia in right field. The 25 year old split last season playing in the outfield and DH.
The Chicago White Sox have a plan for Avisail Garcia. And it includes him playing in the outfield. Manager Rick Renteria told reporters Sunday he wants to see if the 25-year-old can settle in right field. Renteria will still use him as a designated hitter but is hoping giving him more playing time in the field will lead to better play.
Garcia split last season playing in the outfield and at DH. In total, he logged 55 games in the outfield and 63 games as DH. In total, he batted .245 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. A far stretch from the production the White Sox felt they would get when they traded for him in 2013.
Renteria is hoping the youngster can play the way everyone thought he would. He drew comparisons to Miguel Cabrera early in his career, but he’s come nowhere close to that potential. There was a lot of talk also on whether or not he’d be a part of this team in 2017. But it seems the White Sox are willing to give him another chance.
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With very little depth in the outfield and the team going through a rebuild, it doesn’t hurt to see if Garcia could settle into a corner spot. After all, he’s only 25, so he still could turn into something. Remember, Garcia did lose a season because of an injury he sustained making a catch in right field in 2014.
Bottom line, this is a make or break year for Garcia. If he is not able to produce up to a certain level of expectation, then he won’t be on this team next season. This is his last shot to prove he can be a productive everyday player. The White Sox hope he can blossom into the guy they thought they got in 2013.
I don’t have a problem with Garcia seeing more time in the outfield because they need to see what they have. He hasn’t really played a full season and hasn’t played consistently in the field. If they envision him as a potential solution in their outfield, then they need to give him a shot so they know what they have. This team isn’t really expected to go anywhere this season, so it doesn’t hurt.
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Garcia is going to be given every opportunity to succeed. Now it’s up to him to take his opportunity and run with it. He’s still young enough where he can blossom into a young star. There are plenty of players who came on late in their careers. The White Sox hope Garcia is one.