Is this the year Garcia lives up to expectations with Chicago White Sox?
GLENDALE, Ariz. - From 2014-16, Avisail Garcia reported to spring training, talked about big goals and pounds shed and then failed to live up to expectations during the season.
Not much has changed this spring.
Garcia is back with the Chicago White Sox, but another disappointing season is likely going to end his stay on the South Side.
"No pressure," the 25-year-old Garcia said. "I know I can play baseball. That's what I'm here for. I just have to believe I can do a good job in right field."
Garcia played right when he was acquired in a 2013 trade from Detroit, and he played the corner outfield spot for the Sox in 2014-15.
Last season, he was the White Sox's primary designated hitter and Garcia posted a .245/.307/.385 slash line with 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 120 games.
On the plus side, Garcia was the Sox's best hitter in the clutch, batting .355 with 4 homers and 41 RBI with runners in scoring position.
With Adam Eaton now playing for Washington after a December trade, Garcia is moving back to the outfield.
"I'm looking to see if Avi can settle into right field," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's another individual that we would use in that DH slot in the swing role. But I hope that we can get him more playing time in right and see if he's able to go ahead and perform the way everybody hopes."
Garcia played winter ball back home in Venezuela, and he reported to training camp at 254 pounds, down from 268. He hopes to be under 250 when the season starts.
"Everyone wants to improve," Garcia said. "I want to show myself first, and believe I can do a better job in the outfield, hitting and everything about baseball. It's in myself. I've just got to get better, play hard and play the game the right way."
Front and center:
With Charlie Tilson out for at least 10 days with a stress reaction in his right foot, Peter Bourjos is among the contenders for more playing time in center field.
A seven-year veteran, the Chicago-born Bourjos played in 123 games with the Phillies last season, batting .251.
"We'll see what happens," said Bourjos, who moved to the Phoenix area in second grade. "It really relies on how I play in spring training, that's what it comes down to. If I go out and play well, good things are going to happen. And if I don't, that's on me."
Soto squared:
During batting practice Monday, Giovanni Soto was on the mound for the White Sox and his catcher was Geovany Soto.
"It's kind of surreal that he has the same name, last name," Geovany Soto said. "It's kind of weird."
The Sox claimed Giovanni Soto off waivers from Oakland in November.
"I actually told the team that if they want, because (Geovany Soto) is a veteran, they can call me by my second name, Luis, or by my No. 50 or whatever," Giovanni Soto said. "But they said no. They're going to call me the same."
Game off:
The White Sox have always played intrasquad games before opening exhibition play, but that's not going to happen this spring under new manager Rick Renteria.
"What we are going to do is try to continue to double up on some of our fundamentals to make sure that those guys are kind of squared away with that," Renteria said. "Depends on who you talk to, but most players in terms of intrasquads and things of that nature, it's more apt to be the same thing as pitchers' (batting practice). It's more for the pitcher than it is for the position player."