Julio Garcia

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #14 prospect in 2016
  Garcia was a late bloomer who didn't garner much interest when first eligible to sign in the 2013 international period. A growth spurt attracted the interest of the Angels, who inked the switch-hitting shortstop to a $565,000 contract in January 2014. Despite the lack of offensive production so far, Garcia is regarded as one of the better prospects in the lower levels of the system. He began the 2015 season in the Dominican Summer League before moving up to the Rookie-level Arizona League in early August. Anyone in the stands can look at Garcia and know right away that he's a shortstop, especially as he's now growing into his man strength. He projects as a plus defender with good actions, great range and a plus arm. He's still learning some of the intricacies of playing shortstop, like positioning and understanding game situations. He needs time to grow further into his body, but the tools to hit are there. He has a nice swing, especially from his natural righthanded side, and started getting better swings and impacting the ball more from the left side in the Arizona League. He's likely to return to the Arizona League in 2016, but more strength and further development with the bat could get him to Rookie-level Orem before the end of the summer.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #12 prospect in 2015
  The switch-hitting Garcia garnered little attention during the 2013 international signing period, primarily because he was too small and too slow. The Angels signed the late-blooming Garcia in July 2014 for $565,000. Since signing, he has grown to 6 feet tall and should grow bigger and stronger with age. Garcia projects to be a plus or better defender with excellent hands, quick-twitch actions at shortstop and a plus arm. He's flashy and can get careless, and like many young shortstops will likely make a lot of errors early in his career. Garcia projects as a gap hitter from both sides of the plate when he matures physically. While still a below-average runner, he could have average speed in time. The difference between Garcia's current abilities and his future projection is immense, but the Angels believe he may develop into a potential all-star. He will make his domestic debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2015.