Michael Garciaparra
| AB | 2004 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .267 |
| OBP | .352 |
| SLG | .345 |
| HR | 20 |
- Full name Michael Robert Garciaparra
- Born 04/02/1983 in Whittier, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Don Bosco Technical Institute
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Drafted in the C round (36th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2001 (signed for $2,000,000).
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SS Michael Garciaparra--yes, Nomar's little brother--was a name to watch at the start of the year, but he missed the season after he blew out his knee last fall playing football.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Nomar Garciaparra's younger brother did little to justify his $2 million signing bonus in his first four years of pro ball, repeatedly missing time with nagging injuries and hitting just .257. He decided to change his outlook in 2006, focusing on enjoying the game and not worrying about his pedigree or performance. That worked, as he reached Triple-A and hit .342 in the Arizona Fall League. Now, Garciaparra is hitting the ball where it's pitched and using the opposite field more than ever before. He doesn't have a lot of pop, but he can sting the ball into the gaps on occasion. He does a good job with pitch recognition and draws some walks. He has average speed. Signed as a shortstop, Garciaparra moved to second base, where his range and arm profile better, full-time in 2005. His reliable hands are his best defensive trait. He's one of the hardest workers in the system, and the Mariners admire his perserverance. He may never get the chance to be a regular in Seattle, but he could carve out a utility role. -
Some teams didn't list Garciaparra on their draft boards in 2001 after he blew out the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while making a tackle as the kicker on his high school football team. He got just 12 at-bats that spring and might have flown completely under the prospect radar if he weren't the younger brother of Nomar Garciaparra. Michael had played on scout teams in California for the Mariners, piquing their interest, and they popped him 36th overall and signed him for $2 million. While Garciaparra's 2003 statistics are underwhelming, Seattle says he was the most improved player in the system, bettering himself in all phases of the game. He didn't cross the Mendoza Line for good until mid-May, but hit .269 and settled down defensively in the final few months of the season. He resembles his brother at the same age, though Nomar had better speed and has turned himself into a physical specimen. Michael shares Nomar's work ethic and has added 15 pounds since signing, but he's going to have to get a lot stronger to become an effective hitter. He has a good swing path, pitch-recognition skills and quick wrists. He has plate discipline but could use more. Garciaparra is a solid average runner and potentially a plus defender. His arm and range play well at shortstop, though he made 50 errors in 122 games last year. Most of those miscues came on rushed throws, and he settled down later in the season. He won't be the second coming of his brother, but he could turn into an Adam Everett. Garciaparra will play in high Class A this season. -
As the younger brother of Nomar Garciaparra, Michael faces comparisons that are unfair yet inevitable. He's not as explosive offensively as Nomar and probably never will be, but Michael is as gifted with the glove. He also shares Nomar's considerable instincts and work ethic, and is participating in the same intensive offseason workouts. That will help Michael do what he needs most, which is to get stronger. A surprise supplemental first-round pick in 2001, Garciaparra didn't play baseball in high school or in the minors that summer while recovering from a knee injury. He blew out his anterior cruciate ligament making a tackle after kicking off for his prep football team. Garciaparra got a $2 million bonus to pass up the opportunity to play at the University of Tennessee, and the Mariners are happy with their investment after seeing his pro debut last year. He showed a solid arm and range at shortstop, and an advanced approach at the plate. If he can make more contact and mature physically, he'll be a possible No. 2 hitter. Seattle thinks Garciaparra has the aptitude for switch-hitting and may have him try that in the future. The current plan is to keep him batting righthanded this year in low Class A. -
Garciaparra's older brother Nomar already has won two American League batting titles, while Michael was selected with a supplemental first-round pick Seattle received for the loss of free agent Alex Rodriguez. As if that wasn't pressure enough, Garciaparra was the biggest surprise in the 2001 draft, as some teams didn't even list him on their draft boards. A baseball/ football/soccer star in high school, he played little baseball as a senior after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while making a tackle during the previous fall. The Mariners knew Garciaparra because he had played on their scout team in California since he was a freshman, and area scout Derek Valenzuela (who since has joined the Red Sox) is very close to Nomar. Getting word that Boston might take Michael with the 48th pick, Seattle decided to pop him with the 36th selection. It cost $2 million to steer him away from the University of Tennessee, and the Mariners are confident he'll justify the investment. Michael is bigger and more athletic than Nomar was at the same age. He has gap power and could fit into a lineup as a No. 2 or No. 7 hitter. He'll have to get stronger and already has toyed with switch-hitting. Garciaparra also has the tools and instincts to stay at shortstop as he moves up the ladder. He likely won't make his pro debut until this summer, getting some time in extended spring training beforehand.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Nomar Garciaparra's younger brother signed with the Mariners for $2 million in 2001 as a surprise supplemental first-rounder. Michael didn't make his pro debut until 2002–when he frequently was compared to Nomar. "He looks like Nomar and has similar mannerisms," Hairston said. "It's evident his brother has taught him to play." Garciaparra has a decent arm and solid range at shortstop, though like many youngsters at the position he needs to be more consistent. He has a good approach at the plate but must get stronger. He's a work in progress who gets marks for his work ethic and intelligence.
