White Sox hope Avisail Garcia can find consistency in majors

Share

Before spring training began, Avisail Garcia said he would experiment with a new batting stance in hopes of improving a part of his game he struggled with in 2015: consistency.

By the time spring training had ended, Garcia was feeling pretty encouraged about where he stood with his game.

He hit .383/.431/.733 in Arizona, hitting five homers – tied for first on the White Sox with three others – and posting a team-leading 19 RBI.

All signs appeared to be looking up for the Venezuelan outfielder.

But 18 games into the 2016 campaign, those inconsistencies have surfaced again, which is why Garcia will have his second day off in three games when the White Sox take on the Texas Rangers in their series finale on Sunday.

“(Jerry) Sands is in there and we're lucky,” said Robin Ventura. “With Sands, you can put him in there and you feel confident about him going in and helping you win a game until Avi can find that piece that's missing.”

Prior to Sunday, Garcia has played in four of six games during this homestand but hasn’t recorded a hit in any of the contests. He’s 0-for-14 – and only has one hit in his last 23 at-bats.

On the season, Garcia is has a .135/.224/.269 slash line in 15 games played.

The White Sox are still hopeful that the 24-year-old can get going in the majors.

Ventura believes sending Garcia to Triple-A Charlotte wouldn’t be a bad thing, but he believes Garcia has a spot on the roster for a reason.

“Right now we're trying to give him time here,” said Ventura. “…We think he can help us here.”

Contact Us