Jhostynxon Garcia, also known as “The Password,” is the latest Red Sox prospect to be called up in hopes he’ll provide a spark.
Garcia, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, will bat fifth and start in centerfield as the Red Sox face the rival Yankees on Friday night. A late-August night at Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox playing arguably their most important series in years? No, not a bad night for a Major League debut.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora offered a scouting report of Garcia, a 22-year-old slugger who arrives after recording a .932 OPS in 66 games in Triple-A Worcester. MLB Pipeline views Garcia as Boston’s third-best prospect behind Franklin Arias and left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle.
“He swings a lot,” Cora said of Garcia, who has struck out 110 times in 99 games this season. “That’s the first thing, he swings a lot. But HE drives the ball to right-center, can do that with two strikes. He’s a great defender, good base-runner. So, we’ll see.”
Garcia’s elevation fills a need for the Red Sox with outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Rob Refsnyder on the injured list. Their respective injuries aren’t expected to cause long-term absences, which could result in Garcia returning to Worcester in the not-too-distant future. Unless, of course, he receives one of Boston’s added roster spots when rosters expand in 10 days.
For now, Cora indicated Garcia will start every game against a left-handed pitcher. He’s hit .283 with a .964 OPS against lefties this season.
Yankees left-hander Max Fried might present a different challenge for Garcia. But having watched rookie Roman Anthony blast one into the second deck against the Yankees on Thursday night, and having Anthony next to him in right field, could go a long way in setting the tone.
