Chicago White Sox's Avisail Garcia thrilled to be an all-star
With the rebuilding Chicago White Sox expected to gradually begin bringing top prospects to the major-league roster, likely at some point after the upcoming all-star break, Avisail Garcia's name figures to come up quite often.
"Learn how to handle failure like Avi Garcia," the Sox are going to tell Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and others. "Never give up."
Garcia had every reason to consider other occupations after posting a .245/.307/.385 hitting line last season and an equally disappointing .257/.309/.365 line in 2015.
According to White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, there was plenty of talk about dumping Garcia in recent seasons, but vice president Kenny Williams "fought for him in just about every meeting."
Now, Garcia is a rising talent. Slashing .318/.362/.512 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI in 75 games this season, the 26-year-old right fielder is going to be the Sox's lone representative in the July 11 All-Star Game at Marlins Park in Miami.
"I feel really, really proud," Garcia said. "It makes me more motivated. I just feel blessed, man. Blessed for this year because my wife (Anakarina), we're waiting for another baby and now this. I've been having a great season, and I just thank God for that."
While he missed his fourth straight game Sunday with a sore left knee, Garcia ran and hit before the White Sox beat the Rangers 6-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
He expects to be back in the lineup Monday night at Oakland, when the Sox open a three-game series against the Athletics.
Garcia's .318 batting average ranks fifth in the American League, and he leads the majors with a .429 average against left-handed pitchers.
Add it all up, and the Sox clearly made the right decision bringing Garcia back for another season.
"It is an example of the importance of being patient with talented, especially young, players," Hahn said.
Garcia was not happy with his overall game in 2015-16 - he missed most of the '14 season with a shoulder injury - but he never lost faith in himself.
"I know I worked hard trying to improve myself, my career," Garcia said. "Like I said, it's another blessing. When you work hard and believe in yourself, I think you've got a really good chance to be where I am right now representing the White Sox in the All-Star Game."
Physically, Garcia improved himself by shedding 20 pounds in the off-season. He also made mental changes while playing winter ball in his native Venezuela.
"Now I can make the adjustments," Garcia said. "It's a big thing in this game. This game is about adjustment. You just have to keep your mind strong and be focused and positive and try to make that adjustment fast."
As for his suddenly bright future with the White Sox, Garcia is looking like a perfect role model for all the prospects who are coming up in the system.
"I want to have success here," Garcia said. "I would like to stay here for a long time. That's why I'm trying to do my best every day, every year. I'm trying to improve, trying to do my best so I can be here for a long time."
Manager Rick Renteria called a team meeting before Sunday's game to give Garcia the good news.
"We congratulated him as a team," Renteria said. "It's fitting that everybody should be in the room. Those guys have been picking each other up all year long. He goes as a representative, obviously rightfully so for everything he's been doing up to this point.
"But he's also representing the whole club, and we're very proud of him and very happy he was elected. It's an honor, and I know he's going to enjoy it and he deserves it."
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum
TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Tuesday; WGN Wednesday
Thursday; Comcast SportsNet Plus Wednesday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Carlos Rodon (0-1) vs. Jesse Hahn (3-6) Monday at 8:07 p.m.; James Shields (2-1) vs. Daniel Gossett (1-3) Tuesday at 3:07 p.m.; Mike Pelfrey (3-6) vs. Sonny Gray (3-4) Wednesday at 2:37 p.m.
At a glance: After going 4-6 on their longest homestand of the season, the White Sox travel to Oakland and Colorado to close out the first half. The A's swept a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field in late June, outscoring the Sox 18-7. Rodon makes his second start of the season after coming off the disabled list (left-biceps bursitis). Facing the Yankees at home last Wednesday, Rodon pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (none earned) on 2 hits and 6 walks. Melky Cabrera has hit safely in 18 of his last 20 games and is batting .337 over that stretch.
Next: Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, Friday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor