Miami Marlins’ Avisail Garcia is producing in June. Could this be a turning point?
Avisail Garcia admits he probably let the expectations get the better of him to start the season. He was one of the Miami Marlins’ big splashes in free agency, signing a four-year, $53 million deal with a club option for a fifth season. The outfielder was going to be a heart-of-the-order bat for a lineup that needed offense.
For two months, the results didn’t come.
Now? It looks like he’s starting to turn the corner.
Garcia entered Friday’s series opener against the New York Mets in the midst of a strong month of June. He has a .294 batting average (20 for 68) with four doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over 18 games (17 starts). This stretch includes his first two games of the season with multiple extra-base hits games of the season and seven total multi-hit outings after having just five in his first 39 games of the season.
“I’m trying to really relax,” Garcia said. “Try not to do too much and don’t try to put a lot of pressure on myself. Enjoy the game. Focus on and control what I can control.”
So does Garcia think he put too much pressure on himself early to make a good impression and could that have played a role in his early struggles when he hit just .201 during the months of April and May?
“For sure,” Garcia said. ”I’m a human. I think it happens to everybody. I guess it’s normal. It takes time, but I’ve just got to do my job and enjoy the game.”
Garcia’s presence was felt throughout their series sweep of the Rockies. He hit a three-run home run as part of a four-run inning on Tuesday. He had another pair of hits on Wednesday and drove in the game-winning run on Thursday with an RBI fielder’s choice in the eighth inning, beating out a throw to first base on a groundball to the left side that could have been an inning-ending double play.
Garcia’s sprint speed on the run to first base Thursday was 29.5 feet per second — well above the league average of 27 feet per second and just below the 30 feet-per-second mark that MLB considers elite.
“That’s the way I play the game,” Garcia said. “When the game’s on the line like that and you get a ground ball, you’ve gotta hustle. You’ve gotta do what you can to score the run.”
Miguel Rojas scratched
Shortstop Miguel Rojas was scratched from the Marlins’ starting lineup Friday with a right foot bone contusion.
Jon Berti took Rojas spot at shortstop after initially being set to start at third base. Luke Williams entered the lineup playing third base and batting ninth. Catcher Jacob Stallings move up one spot in the lineup, batting in Rojas’ original spot at No. 8 instead of ninth.
Rehab assignments and other injury updates
▪ Third baseman/outfielder Brian Anderson began a rehab assignment with Triple A Jacksonville on Thursday. Infielder Joey Wendle left Friday for Jacksonville with the anticipation of starting a rehab assignment this weekend.
▪ Right-handed pitcher Sixto Sanchez is scheduled to throw a 20-pitch side session in Jupiter on Saturday
▪ Right-handed pitcher Cole Sulser is playing catch.
▪ Left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo is throwing on flat ground from 105 feet.
▪ Cody Poteet threw a 30-pitch bullpen Friday.
▪ Right-handed pitcher Anthony Bender is in Jupiter for his throwing progression.
Marlins honor Surfside on anniversary of tragedy
Prior to Friday’s game, the Marlins will hold a moment of silence marking one year since the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside. The team will be joined on the field by first responders and members of local search and rescue efforts.
In recognition of the anniversary of the tragedy, the Marlins and Miami Marlins Foundation are awarding four-Year Florida College Plan Scholarships to 21 youths from impacted families of the building collapse who are being assisted by the Jewish Community Services of South Florida. Scholarships funds are being matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
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