Dermis Garcia

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #20 prospect in 2018
  Signed for $3 million as part of the Yankees' massive international spending spree in 2014, Garcia's development has been slow but steady. There are serious questions as to whether he'll stay at third base in the long-term, but there are zero doubts about his massive power potential. Garcia was one of 25 players this season to hit 17 home runs, and he did it in 95 fewer at-bats than anybody else. As would be expected, however, those home runs came with significant swing-and-miss issues, as well. He struck out at a 33-percent clip during his time with low Class A Charleston over the season's last month, which was in line with the marks he's produced throughout his career. The 27.7 percent rate he produced with Rookie-level Pulaski to begin the season represented the best mark of his career. He's improved his footwork and agility at third base but has already begun seeing time at first base, which evaluators see as his potential home once he's fully developed. To avoid that fate, he'll need to keep up with his conditioning and continue working very hard to improve. Garcia needs to reduce his swing and miss, but his power makes him an incredibly intriguing prospect nonetheless. He should return to Charleston in 2018.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #21 prospect in 2017
  Garcia was one of the jewels of the Yankees' $30 million international spending spree, and his $3 million bonus is tied with Gary Sanchez for the fifth-highest in franchise history. As an amateur Garcia was coveted for his tremendous raw power, and the same is true two years into his pro career. His 13 home runs were second in the Appalachian League and his 32 walks were the fifth-most in the league in 2016, but his 79 strikeouts were a league-worst. Scouts are split on his future hitting ability, but the consensus is he will be no better than average unless he makes major strides with his pitch recognition and plate discipline. Garcia has put on nearly 30 pounds since signing and a move off of third base over to first is considered inevitable. He has a strong arm, but his feet are clunky and he's already nearly too big for third. He is a bottom-of-the-scale runner. The Yankees will look for more development at the plate to unlock his double-plus raw power more in games. He could wind up at low Class A Charleston to start the year.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #31 prospect in 2016
  Miguel Benitez. Garcia received a $3 million bonus, the second-highest of the signing period, as part of the Yankees' massive spending spree in 2014. Primarily, the team coveted Garcia's powerful bat. He trained with Moreno Tejada, the same man who helped mold Twins slugger Miguel Sano, and the Yankees believe Garcia could eventually wind up fitting that mold. He's put on a lot of weight since signing and played exclusively at third base this season after signing as a shortstop. At third base, Garcia shows off skilled hands and a strong arm but his feet are slow. Scouts aren't yet pushing him to first base, but they acknowledge it's an option. Even so, they see a bat that will play at either corner. He projects as a .250-.260 hitter with 20 or more home runs annually if he sharpens his approach, but there's a long way to go before he reaches that ceiling. He'll play of 2016 as an 18-year-old, so a return to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League seems likely.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #25 prospect in 2015
  Trained by Moreno Tejada, whose program in the Dominican Republic helped produce the Twins' Miguel Sano and Micker Adolfo of the White Sox, Garcia signed with the Yankees for $3 million during their international spending boom in 2014. That bonus amount ties Gary Sanchez for the fifth-highest ever handed out by the franchise. Garcia already has added 15 pounds since signing, and he will most likely outgrow shortstop at some point and have to move either to third base, where his double-plus arm will play, or the outfield. He's got soft hands as well, which should help him stay in the dirt long term. Garcia also has double-plus raw power to go with the massive arm, and his overall package has drawn comparisons with Sano at the same age. The Rookie-level Gulf Coast League is his likely assignment in 2015 after extended spring training concludes.