Anthony Garcia

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #21 prospect in 2016
  The Cardinals lack power bats in their system, which helps Garcia stand out by comparison. Drafted as a 17-year-old catcher out of Puerto Rico in 2009, Garcia has had his moments in the minors, ranking second to Miguel Sano in home runs in the low Class A Midwest League in 2012. That was his first shot at full-season ball, and he lost his prospect momentum when he spent the next two seasons as high Class A Palm Beach's left fielder. Garcia has two above-average tools--power and his throwing arm. He's a modest athlete who's a below-average runner and fringy defender who fits better in left field but has the arm for right (he had a career-best 10 outfield assists in 2015). However, he has improved his selectivity at the plate and gets to his power more consistently than any Cardinals farmhand. He feasts on modest velocity and dominated the Pan Am Games for Puerto Rico, hitting five home runs and driving in 17 runs. Garcia finished 2015 at Triple-A Memphis and should report back there to start 2016. Added to the 40-man roster in November to keep him from becoming a minor league free agent, Garcia looks blocked by a crowded Cardinals outfield, but his power makes him a good insurance policy as a corner bat.