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| Luis Garcia, image- @BaseballBetsy |
After the team signed the Dominican Republic native for a reported $2.5 million (second highest international signing in Phils history) in July of 2017, Garcia participated in the Florida Instructional League as a 16-year-old.
He made his official professional debut last season. In the short-season Rookie level Gulf Coast League, the youngster was tops in batting average with a .369 mark and posted a .433 OBP with an impressive .921 OPS. He was also named to the GCL’s post-season All-Star roster.
The five-foot-11 170-pounder was rated by Baseball America as the best prospect in that league last year.
Defensively, Garcia is said to have an accurate, plus arm with quick feet. He fields his position smoothly. At the plate, the switch-hitter displays a mature approach with quick hands that could translate into more power as he ages.
Garcia’s left/right splits are noteworthy, as he posted strong numbers from both sides of the plate in 2018. Facing lefties, he sported a .293/.408/.439 slash line. Against righties, he collected a .372/.437/.494 slash line.
On the bases, Garcia is swift and could be a steady stolen base threat throughout the minors. He swiped 12 bags in 20 chances in the GCL, which isn’t an outstanding success rate, but as he moves up in the minors, he will have more tools at his disposal to improve on that ratio.
Many prospect reviewers think that Garcia could become a blue chipper for the Phillies and will be a prospect name for all fans to know very soon.
It’s not far-fetched to think the Phillies could challenge the 18-year-old with his assignment this year by placing him at full-season Class A Lakewood when the regular season opens in April. They have done it with similarly aged and similarly talented prospects in the past.
Track this year's complete Phillies top prospects countdown by clicking this link.
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