Picture, if you will, that it’s your first full year with a new team in the major leagues. It can be a very special time, and at times very nerve-wracking. You’re learning firsthand about your new team and your new ballpark. You’re meeting new teammates, new coaches, new training staff, and more. Well, that is exactly what Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia is going through right now, and he is handling it in stride. He has quickly become a fan favorite in Arlington as well as an unexpected power threat in the lineup. Here is a look at Adolis Garcia’s power outburst through the first 45 games of the 2021 season.
First Impressions
Given his early-season statistics, Rangers’ manager Chris Woodward has plenty of reason to be comfortable putting Garcia in the lineup every day. In his first 132 at-bats of the 2021 season, Garcia is hitting .288 with 11 home runs, 30 RBI, and 20 runs scored. Garcia has 30 hits so far, and an on-base percentage of .331. He also has five stolen bases, putting him three behind teammate and Rangers infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has eight. The Rangers have to be pleased with that. A power bat with fast legs attached to it can be a very dangerous and valuable weapon at this level. The great thing is that it’s not even June yet. Barring injuries, there’s no telling what his numbers could look like at the end of this year.
Steady With The Glove
For the fans, there is no question that Garcia’s bat stands out a lot more than his glove. He has made some great catches this year in both left and right field. For his career, he holds a .900 fielding percentage. That’s not really going to blow anyone away, but it’s not bad either. Nobody is perfect. That’s the thing when you have caught the attention of the fans. If you can do at least one thing well enough, fans are usually understanding about the tools that a player might not possess yet, such as perfect defense.
Let’s be fair, no matter what line of work you’re in, there are always going to be people who aren’t good at everything. One of their tools is always going to be sharper than their other tools. To be honest, most fans don’t show up or tune in for defense. They want to see hitting, and thus far, they have been showing up to see Adolis Garcia’s power bat.
Still Young
Adolis Garcia is only 28 years old. Granted, he isn’t the youngest player in the major leagues, but he has plenty left in the tank. He still has some things to learn. There is no doubt that the Rangers would like to see him improve his fielding skills. Perhaps they will have him do more leg workouts to boost his speed. Five stolen bases is good, but there is always room for growth in that area. He has a great career ahead of him, and fans are looking forward to seeing the next showing of Adolis Garcia’s power.
“Main Photo”
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
