Garcia Gets the Call
Injuries continue to ravage the Nationals, as a broken wrist by Starlin Casto opened the door for Washington’s No. 2 prospect Luis Garcia.
The 20-y.o. becomes the second prospect and the third notable minor-leaguer to be added to the 28-man roster, joining Seth Romero yesterday and Dakota Bacus earlier today.
Bacus, who was acquired in a 2013 trade with… wait for it… Oakland, made his MLB debut in the continuation of last Sunday’s game. He pitched two perfect innings with 14 strikes on 19 pitches and one whiff.
Garcia was listed in the lineup for tonight’s game that is in a rain delay as this story went to the virtual press. He spent all of 2019 at AA Harrisburg with a modest line of .257/.280/.337 with just four HR and 11 stolen bases, but improved to .276/.345/.382 in 20 Arizona Fall League games (pictured above).
Going into 2020, the wonder was whether the Nats would have Garcia repeat AA or promote him to AAA, which seemed dependent on how Carter Kieboom would fare in Spring Training, which was interrupted by the current pandemic in mid-March.
It’s also worth noting that between the uncertain fate of the minors beyond 2020 as well as the looming battle with the MLBPA in 2021, the usual caution that might have otherwise precluded all three of these moves has been abandoned. It would also appear that with GM Mike Rizzo’s uncertain contract status, the short-term considerations appear to be more important than the potential service-time problems this may cause.
AWESOME!!!~
Interesting that the Nats chose Garcia over Harrison to start at 2B–picked the rookie over the veteran. I guess it’s his time, as it was for Soto 2 years ago. With Strasburg unable to pitch, Romero may get more opportunities as a multiple-inning guy–if he can command the baseball much better than in his debut.
Time for Sens fan and LM to chip in. They plus Lee have seen Garcia a lot more than the rest of us.
For one night he looked like he belonged.
I’m rooting for him, he’s still a potential star. Let’s not forget he was the youngest player in the Eastern League last year.
I loved his defense! He was very smooth. I don’t ever recall him loafing or not playing hard. I think he has a great career in front of him.
Hi All! Glad to see Garcia get the call! He had a slow start last season in HBG but by the all star break he had AA all figured out. He played hard and hussled every game. I really can’t say anything bad about him. Always nice to see players do well in their debut! I’m sure Soto, Robles and Kieboom will take him under their wings! Hoping the Nats allow him to continue and don’t go out and get some big name at the trade deadline!
Let’s not forget the HUGE job Always Ready Fedde did subbing for Strasburg last night! Great to see him do well!!
Way early, but Garcia looks like he belongs. Bacus too. Would love a report on what the players on doing in F-burg to stay ready; would be curious to know what the Nats are doing to keep it fresh as those players have been reporting to the same field and going up against the same players and coaches for a month. Got to get tedious at some point.
Without playing actual games, thought that players might look unprepared when called up from the alternate site, but early on, it seems like the players are game ready.
Yea, credit goes to the Nats for making sure everyone in Fredericksburg is ready when called. I’m sure that’s not the case with all clubs.
Pretty exciting for Garcia and Bacus.