Lighter Garcia proving his worth in crowded Brewers outfield
Milwaukeeās AvisaiĢl GarciĢa admits he was a little surprised at first when he learned the Brewers were adding Jackie Bradley Jr. to a crowded outfield competition.
A discussion with manager Craig Counsell helped Garcia understand the logic in the move and how it could assist him.
āWeāre good,ā GarciĢa said Thursday from the Brewersā spring training camp in Phoenix. āI get it.ā
The addition of Bradley, announced Monday, gave the Brewers four former All-Stars for three outfield positions. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain is back after opting out of most of the 2020 season, though heās been slowed by a quadriceps injury, and 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich is set in left field.
Counsell hasnāt indicated how he will divide playing time. He understood Garciaās initial surprise about the Bradley signing and said the 29-year-old handled it well.
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āHe was a true professional,ā Counsell said of GarciĢa. āThatās the way Iād describe it. He was concerned and rightfully so. I think thatās fair. But the way weāre looking at this is thereās at-bats to go around. I think it will keep everybody really productive. I donāt see this as having a fourth outfielder. I see this as four outfielders.ā
GarciĢa, who made the All-Star Game in 2017 with the Chicago White Sox, has shown heās intent on bouncing back from a subpar 2020 season.
He said at the start of the camp that he weighed 235 and had dropped almost 36 pounds from where heād been at one point. GarciĢa, who is 6-foot-4, says he played at about 257 pounds last season and believes the weight loss has improved his speed and energy level.
āI think Aviās optimism for the season just shows up by the way he showed up to camp,ā Counsell said. āHe clearly worked very, very hard and put a lot into his preparations this winter. That was in the weight room and it was in the cages. Heās put a lot of work in. Heās getting great feedback from that work so far.ā
Indeed, GarciĢa has gone 8 of 17 with two homers so far in the Cactus League.
āIām not giving up any at-bats,ā GarciĢa said. āIām trying to work the counts, try to see good pitches to hit and do my best every day, no matter what statistics I have. Spring training or whatever, Iām here to play and Iām ready.ā
GarciĢa batted just .238 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 53 games in his first season the Brewers last year after hitting .282 with 20 homers and 72 RBIs in 125 games for Tampa Bay in 2019. GarciĢa, normally a right fielder, spent much of last season playing center after Cain opted out.
Brewers hitting coach Andy Haines visited Garciaās Miami home during the offseason as they tried figuring out how to improve upon that 2020 performance.
āIām focused on using my hips, trying to have balance and be early (at the plate),ā GarciĢa said. āWhen Iām early, I have a really good chance to hit the ball hard. Thatās what weāre working on. Be early, be on time and be loose. Donāt try to do too much.ā
GarciĢa isnāt speculating how many games he may end up playing this season. But he appreciates how the Brewers are adding more talent.
āHopefully if everybody stays healthy, everybody can play a lot of games,ā Garcia said. āThereās a lot of things that can happen during the season. I donāt know. The only thing I want is for everybody to stay healthy. Thatās the best. If everybody stays healthy, I think we will have a special team.ā
Thatās the message Counsell is sending to each of his outfielders.
āIāve told all of them that the problem we want is that you all are playing so well that weāve got issues trying to figure out whoās going to play,ā Counsell said. āI can guarantee if thatās the case, there will be a lot of wins on the board, weāll be sitting in a pretty good spot and understand thereās a real big purpose ahead of us.ā
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