July 20th, 2013.
That was the day that saw No. 74 ranked prospect Avisail Garcia sent to the White Sox from Detroit in a three-team deal. Garcia, then just 22-years-old, was absolutely tearing up Triple-A pitching, having a slash line of .380/.424/.561 when the White Sox acquired him. Because of his 6'4, 240-pound frame and power potential, he had been given the nickname "Little Miggy", a reference to the Detroit Tigers All-Star Miguel Cabrera. Not a bad comparison to have. It had seemed that the South Side had found a young five-tool future All-Star ready to make his mark on the league.
Instead, the exact opposite has happened.
In his brief action with the White Sox his rookie year, Garcia actually played pretty well and flashed the potential the White Sox saw in him. In 42 games, he slashed .304/.327/.447. Not a bad showcase by any means.
Then came 2014. The year Avi Garcia was going to get his first full season in the big leagues. He was going to adjust to major league pitching, get some quality at-bats, and develop all five tools that made him a top 100 prospect. There were going to be some ups and downs just like there are for any young player, but it was a year that would be crucial to Avi's overall development.
Things did not turn out that way.
In a game against the Colorado Rockies in April 2014, Garcia laid out for a ball dropping quickly in right field. Unfortunately for him and the rest of the White Sox, he fell awkwardly, causing him to tear the labrum of his non-throwing shoulder. And just like that, Avi's season was over before it even started.
2015 and 2016 were not any kinder to Avisail. Although he stayed healthier, his numbers were anything but. Fans were quick to get on him not just about his offense, but his horrendous defense in right field. Although he quietly has a cannon of an arm, he was out of position, took horrible routes, and just seemed to have trouble getting good jumps on the ball. By the end of 2016, it seemed like the end was near for Avi Garcia on the South Side.
Two things in particular seem to have finally clicked with Avi this season: his patience, and his opposite-field power.
Anyone who has paid close attention to Avisail Garcia throughout his career knows there is a pretty common trend when he is at the plate. He cannot lay off of, or hit pitches low and away or up in the zone.
Take a look at Avi's heat map from 2013 to the end of 2016. (Whiff rate only)
The evidence is clear, pitches low and away or up and in have been a common formula to get the White Sox slugger to swing and miss.
Now, take a look at the same chart from the young 2017 season.
It's still early, but so far Avi seems to be showing much better discipline in his two worst areas. Whether he can keep it up remains to be seen.
The other notable change we have seen with Avi so far this season is his opposite field power. So far, almost all of his extra base hits have been to right, or right center. This is interesting because Avi has been seen as a pull hitter throughout his career. If he can consistently tap into his opposite power and use the whole field, he could become a legitimate threat in the heart of the White Sox lineup.
2015 and 2016 were not any kinder to Avisail. Although he stayed healthier, his numbers were anything but. Fans were quick to get on him not just about his offense, but his horrendous defense in right field. Although he quietly has a cannon of an arm, he was out of position, took horrible routes, and just seemed to have trouble getting good jumps on the ball. By the end of 2016, it seemed like the end was near for Avi Garcia on the South Side.
A Drastic Change
Once Chris Sale and Adam Eaton were both traded last offseason, it was clear the direction of the White Sox had changed. Always a team to try and add at the deadline, the front office finally decided to sacrifice the present for future success. Since then, fans have started the #TankforBeer movement on Twitter, essentially begging the team to tank and finish with the worst record in baseball so they would be in a better position to draft the stud prospect from Clemson, 1B/OF Seth Beer. It was for this reason why fans were not necessarily upset to get another full year of Avisail Garcia in right field. A huge defensive liability and a bust at the plate thus far, he would surely be a main factor in helping the White Sox, well... suck. Except he hasn't. In fact, he is one of the main reasons the White Sox have as many wins as they do early on in the 2017 season. After a torrid start, Avi has slowed down a bit, which was expected. However, entering play tonight, he is still putting a robust slash line of .371/.426/.581. Many players have taken up until their age 25 season to finally have something click, and so far that seems to be the case with Avi.What Has Changed?
Two things in particular seem to have finally clicked with Avi this season: his patience, and his opposite-field power.
Anyone who has paid close attention to Avisail Garcia throughout his career knows there is a pretty common trend when he is at the plate. He cannot lay off of, or hit pitches low and away or up in the zone.
Take a look at Avi's heat map from 2013 to the end of 2016. (Whiff rate only)
The evidence is clear, pitches low and away or up and in have been a common formula to get the White Sox slugger to swing and miss.
Now, take a look at the same chart from the young 2017 season.
It's still early, but so far Avi seems to be showing much better discipline in his two worst areas. Whether he can keep it up remains to be seen.
The other notable change we have seen with Avi so far this season is his opposite field power. So far, almost all of his extra base hits have been to right, or right center. This is interesting because Avi has been seen as a pull hitter throughout his career. If he can consistently tap into his opposite power and use the whole field, he could become a legitimate threat in the heart of the White Sox lineup.
