Luis Alfonso Garcia
| AB | 6937 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .275 |
| OBP | .357 |
| SLG | .479 |
| HR | 344 |
- Full name Luis Alfonso Garcia
- Born 11/05/1978 in Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School University Of Guadalajara
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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After getting him from the Red Sox when they dumped Dustin Hermanson in December 2001, the Cardinals used Garcia to get Chuck Finley from the Indians last July. A graceful athlete, Garcia has the most raw power of any hitter in the Cleveland system except Travis Hafner. He has shown an ability to hit in the .280-.300 range and doesn't strike out as much as most sluggers. He'll have to prove himself against the better breaking balls he'll see at higher levels. Garcia needs to stay on pitches longer and fight his urge to pull everything. The ball comes off his bat better than any hitter in the Indians organization, and he has good plate discipline. He doesn't strike out as much as a typical power hitter. He spent time at first base and three outfield positions in 2002, and his best fit may be in right field. A former pitcher, he has enough arm to play there. He also showed good actions and soft hands at first base. He'll see time at first and in the outfield this year in Triple-A. -
Garcia was the key player for the Cardinals in the trade that sent Dustin Hermanson to the Red Sox in December. In a deal between teams with precious few legitimate prospects, Garcia provided a solid bat to a St. Louis system particularly weak in hitters. He signed with Boston as a pitcher and threw in the low 90s, but an arm injury ended his career on the mound. He emerged as a hitter in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 1999, playing for a co-op team of Mexican League players after the Red Sox loaned him to the Monterrey Sultans. He jumped to Double-A at midseason in 2001 and performed so well that he was named Boston's Double-A player of the year. He has a loose, balanced swing with good leverage and can drive the ball to all fields. He's wiry strong with a body like Richie Sexson's, and he's more athletic than might be expected. He showed good pitch recognition and is a potential No. 5 hitter. Garcia is a good defensive first baseman with smooth actions, though at times he's awkward going to his left. He played 10 games in the outfield last season and could move there if needed. Garcia could win a Triple-A job this spring and has few bats in the system ahead of him. -
Garcia originally signed as a pitcher in 1996 and threw 91-92 mph before an arm injury finished him on the mound. He batted just .212 in the Dominican Summer League in 1998, after which the Red Sox thought so little of him that they loaned him to Mexico's Monterrey Sultans. Monterrey assigned him to a co-op team in the Rookie-level Arizona League, which he promptly led with 13 homers and a .649 slugging percentage. When major league organizations contacted the Sultans about purchasing Garcia, they learned he was Boston property. Jumped to Class A in 2000, Garcia continued to hit for power. He gets a lot of leverage in his swing, giving him the chance to have above-average power if he makes better contact. He has some athleticism and arm strength, and might be able to move from first base to the outfield if he hones his defensive instincts. Garcia figures to move to Sarasota this year and should see time at both first and in the outfield.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Garcia went 3-2, 3.40 in two years on the mound before an arm injury ended his pitching career. Now in his fourth season as a first baseman, he's blossoming into a legitimate power threat. He has made major strides in each year with the bat. This season, he launched a career-high 40 doubles and 21 home runs between Sarasota and Double-A Trenton. "He has a loose swing," Butterfield said. "He's a lot like Richie Sexson, with that tall, angular body." Garcia still is learning to play first base. He has a wiry, athletic body and may be able to move to the outfield
