How Don Mattingly’s trust played a role in Yimi Garcia signing with the Miami Marlins
Yimi Garcia has quickly shown that he can be a strength in one of most undecided portions of the Miami Marlins’ roster.
The 29-year-old relief pitcher has been a steady bullpen presence, impressing both during spring training and keeping the same intensity over the two weeks of training camp since practices resumed on July 3.
He also has a good rapport with manager Don Mattingly, who was also Garcia’s manager with the Los Angeles Dodgers during Garcia’s first two MLB seasons in 2014 and 2015.
“No question Yimi’s gotten more confident with more experienced,” Mattingly said. “He’s physically gotten a lot more of a solid as an adult. I had him as a kid. He always could locate. I think he’s refined his weapons and obviously a lot of good teaching out in LA on the pitching side.”
Those early experiences with Mattingly at the helm in Los Angeles weren’t forgotten by Garcia.
“Mattingly trusts me a lot,” Garcia said through a translator. “That’s one of the main reasons that I came to this team was because of Don. Once you feel that trust from the manager, that means a lot. That’s something he always gives to his pitchers and that’s something I love the most from Don.”
Garcia should provide an immediate upgrade to a Marlins’ bullpen that struggled over the course of the 2019 season.
The 6-0, 225-pound right-handed pitcher appeared in 64 games for the Dodgers last season and posted a 3.61 ERA with 66 strikeouts against 14 walks over 62 1/3 innings. In 165 career appearances over five seasons with the Dodgers, he has a 3.66 ERA with 166 strikeouts versus 30 walks in 159 2/3 innings. Opponents have hit .215 against him all time.
According to Statcast, Garcia ranks in the 98th percentile among MLB pitchers in fastball spin rate and the 71st percentile in fastball velocity. His fastball averaged 94.2 mph last season, and hitters swung and missed on the pitch 15.2 percent of the time.
During six spring training appearances, Garcia threw seven scoreless innings. He didn’t give up a hit, struck out eight batters and walked just one.
“He’s just more experienced,” Mattingly said. “This guy has been through a lot of pennant races. He’s guy that I look at as always been pretty confident, kind of a quiet kid. So you don’t really get that outward, emotional-type guy. It’s more of a guy that’s under control. But I think we’re gonna be able to use him in a lot of different roles. He’s a strike thrower, does a lot of a lot of good things.”
Mattingly is hoping Garcia is one of many who can bring success to the bullpen. With Opening Day less than a week away, Garcia is one of a few viewed as locks for up to 12 bullpen spots (Miami expects to carry either 16 or 17 pitchers on its 30-man roster). Brandon Kintzler, the heavy favorite to open the season as the Marlins’ closer, is another. So, too, are Rule 5 pick Sterling Sharp, lefties Adam Conley and Stephen Tarpley and non-roster invitee Brad Boxberger. At least one of Nick Neidert and Robert Dugger should hold down a long-relief/swing starter role to start the season.
Ryne Stanek and Jeff Brigham would seem destined to have spots if the Marlins believe they are 100 percent healthy. Stanek dealt with back issues late in spring, while Brigham didn’t pitch during spring training due to a right biceps injury.
“You always have to be prepared to win games,” Garcia said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from or what other team’s you’ve been with. You’ve just got to be ready and be prepared to win games.”
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