Greg Garcia

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #20 prospect in 2016
  Kolten Wong's old college teammate at Hawaii, Garcia has rejoined Wong by reaching the major leagues in consecutive seasons, and the confidence gained from getting there in 2014 carried over to 2015. After playing primarily second base in 2014, he shifted back to shortstop for 2015 at Triple-A Memphis and played more there than at second base in St. Louis. Garcia is a steady defender with smooth actions whose biggest shortcoming is a fringe-average arm that forces him to be perfect when he's on the left side of the infield. He fits the reserve infielder profile well with a quick lefthanded bat, defensively versatility and solid-average speed. He also showed an ability to adapt to a part-time role, going 9-for-26 (.346) as a pinch-hitter in the big leagues. Garcia was clearly more comfortable in his second big league stint, hitting a pinch-hit, game-tying home run on June 26 and eventually earning a spot on the Division Series roster. He should factor into the 2016 roster as a reserve infielder.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #21 prospect in 2015
  Kolten Wong's double-play partner at Hawaii and again in 2012 and 2013 at Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis, Garcia received two callups to St. Louis in 2014 and remains on the 40-man roster. He's long been seen as a coach on the field, but it is probably to be expected as a third-generation player. His dad Dave was a 1978 first-round draft pick of the Yankees, and his grandfather Dave Sr. managed the Angels (1977-78) and Indians (1979-82). Garcia profiles as a big league utility man, given he plays shortstop, second base and added third base in the recent past. His feel for the game, by positioning himself well defensively and anticipating a hitter's tendencies, receives high marks. With Daniel Descalso gone via free agency to the Rockies, Garcia could make a play for the Cardinals' utility role. However, he'll need to handle the bat better, especially in dropping down bunts, and regain some of his plate discipline, which regressed last season.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #14 prospect in 2014
  A Western Athletic Conference first-team selection at shortstop, Garcia came to the Cardinals with a solid defensive reputation--including a strong arm and good feet--at several positions and an on-base-centric approach at the plate that needed refining. He broke out in 2012, leading the organization with 80 walks, seizing the shortstop job, batting .284/.408/.420 and teaming with former Hawaii teammate Kolten Wong to boost Double-A Springfield to the Texas League title in 2012. The Cardinals have had a carousel at shortstop--in 2014, Jhonny Peralta figures to be the eighth different Opening Day shortstop in eight years--and Garcia's performance at Double-A brought him to spring training where, amidst the scramble, he asserted himself. "He opened a lot of eyes," an official said. But after earning a starting job at Triple-A Memphis, he hit just .235 in the first half. He had to hit his way back into the conversation and onto the 40-man roster with a brilliant finish, hitting .368/.471/.529 in August and pushing past Ryan Jackson on the organizational depth chart. Garcia is a lefty hitter at shortstop who, during Peralta's contract, could emerge as a versatile complement as soon as 2014. He has an average arm some scouts see as better suited for second baes, and he maximizes his average speed, which augments his utility profile.