| Thu Mar 19 2015 | 15:56 | The Pirates sent Garcia to Double-A Altoona on Thursday | ||||
The Pirates sent Garcia to Double-A Altoona on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. | ||||||
Garcia left big-league camp with a bang, stroking his first Grapefruit League homer Wednesday. He'll look to refine his game with the Curve, eying a midseason promotion. | ||||||
| Thu Mar 19 2015 | 09:07 | Garcia stroked three-run homer Wednesday against Detroit, giving... | ||||
Garcia stroked a three-run homer Wednesday against Detroit, giving him five hits in 21 Grapefruit League at-bats. | ||||||
The 22-year-old has only one season at the Double-A level, but he could force his way into the picture as a midseason backup with a strong start. Garcia has hit 52 homers in his last three minor league seasons with the Bucs and offers a strong throwing arm. | ||||||
| Sun Mar 15 2015 | 10:31 | Garcia has appeared in team-high 11 spring contests, seeing thir... | ||||
Garcia has appeared in a team-high 11 spring contests, seeing the third highest number of at-bats -- he's gone 4-for-19 in the early going. | ||||||
Garcia probably offers as much power as anyone in Pittsburgh's system, but poor plate discipline has held him back. The outfielder hit 18 homers for Double-A Altoona in 2014 but compiled a 24:145 BB:K ratio. While it would be surprising to see him win the battle for the Bucs' fourth outfielder spot, Garcia could make his major league debut this summer with a strong start for Triple-A Indy. | ||||||
| Fri Nov 21 2014 | 15:17 | Garcia added to Pirates' 40-man roster | ||||
Garcia was added to the Pirates' 40-man roster. | ||||||
Garcia had a solid 2014 campaign for Double-A Altoona, slashing .271/.311/.478 with 18 homers and 63 RBI. He would've been eligible for December's Rule 5 draft had the Pirates not added him to the 40-man roster, but Garcia will likely head back to the minors once the 2015 season begins. | ||||||