Aramis Garcia Eager For Action
SAN FRANCISCO—After enduring a scary injury that forced him to miss more than two months last season, catcher Aramis Garcia is ready for 2017.
“Beyond ready,” said Garcia, 24.
The 2014 second-round pick from Florida International hit .264/.342/.431 with 15 homers and 66 RBIs in 2015 at both Class A levels, but his 2016 season was interrupted.
Playing for high Class A San Jose at Rancho Cucamonga on May 22, Garcia tried to break up a double play while sliding into second base and suffered a season-altering injury.
“I made a late decision to slide,” Garcia said, “and I just slid right into his knee . . . I just caught his knee right to the face.”
That slide into second baseman Tim Locastro’s knee caused facial fractures for Garcia. He had surgery and plates inserted around his eye and cheekbone.
Fortunately, he avoided long-term damage. Garcia sat out two months, lost about 20 pounds, then returned in late July for a six-game rehab in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He ended up playing 16 games at the end of the season with San Jose and participated in the Arizona Fall League.”
“It was a challenge that I wasn’t afraid to take on,” Garcia said about getting back on the field after his injury. “I honestly didn’t think twice about it. I tried my best not to let that affect me any further than it had to.”
Now healthy, Garcia geared his offseason workouts to improving his defense.
“Receiving and blocking—trying to get more calls for my pitchers,” Garcia said of his goals. “Just being able to present the ball better to the umpire.”
He has an ideal catching role model in the organization in Buster Posey.
“It’s just a privilege to be able to go to camp every year with Buster to see how he goes about his business,” Garcia said. “I keep a picture of AT&T Park and a picture of a World Series trophy in my locker because that’s exactly what I’m working toward.”
GIANTICS
• The Giants signed 29-year-old Korean third baseman Jae-Gyun Hwang to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp. He hit .330/.391/.588 with 26 home runs and 104 RBIs in the Korean majors last season.
• The Giants released 31-year-old utility infielder Ramiro Pena so that he could sign with Hiroshima in Japan.
— Steve Kroner covers the Giants for the San Francisco Chronicle
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