White Sox Option Jacob May to Triple-A Charlotte, Recall Willy Garcia

Apr 6, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Jacob May (32) runs after he hits a sacrifice bunt, scoring Chicago White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson (24) in the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Jacob May (32) runs after he hits a sacrifice bunt, scoring Chicago White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson (24) in the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox option young outfielder to Triple-A Charlotte, recall another young outfielder to take over. South Siders lack of outfield depth exposed.

The Chicago White Sox optioned Jacob May to Triple-A Charlotte Knights on Monday, and recalled Willy Garcia. May struggled in his first taste of MLB hitting just .056 through 36 at-bats. The 25-year-old outfielder recorded his first RBI hit in the Sox 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

Garcia, who was called up earlier this season when outfielder Melky Cabrera had a paternity leave, will rejoin the Sox on Tuesday in Kansas City. The 24-year-old outfielder was playing center field with the Knights after he was sent back down to Charlotte. Garcia played a total of 18 games with Charlotte this season with a .294/.395/529 slash line. He hit four home runs to go along with 11 RBI’s for the Knights.

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Although Garcia could provide more offense than May, the Sox outfield depth takes a hit with the demotion of the true center fielder in May. Garcia didn’t play center field when he was with the Sox for three games, and he could have a hard time adjusting to the position in the majors. During his career in the minors, Garcia appeared in 64 of his total 738 games in center field. Garcia played six games in center field for Charlotte this season.

The Sox will have to utilize Garcia in center fieldat times to give Luery Garcia rest. Willy Garcia most likely won’t become the Sox permanent solution at center field this season, but his offense will certainly be needed when he’s in the lineup.

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With the loss of Charlie Tilson to injury to start the season, the Sox outfield depth has been exposed even further with the demotion of May. The Sox should hope Willy Garcia can provide average defense in center field, as the team is very thin on future replacements.