It’s May 22nd and we are all waiting for Avi Garcia to revert to the norm that White Sox fans know him by: a 5-tool player that always showed spurts of greatness, but was never able to put it together for a prolonged period of time.
Last year seemed to be the end for Avi, as he put together yet another year of bad at-bats even though he was able to focus mainly on hitting as a DH. However, with the White Sox recently deciding to tear everything down and start from scratch, Avi received a final chance. It really was a no brainer for the White Sox when you think about it. If Avi sucked again, it would help position the team for a better pick in next years draft. If he broke out, it may mean that he has finally, after all these years, figured it out.
Shockingly, it seems as if the latter has happened.
Putting It All Together
So far this season, Garcia is leading the American League in batting average at .350. You read that correctly. On Saturday night against Seattle, he had his best performance of the season, as he went 4-5 with 2 home runs and 2 doubles.
.@AvisailGarcia tuvo una noche espectacular en la ofensiva para darle la victoria a su equipo. #MLBVenezuela pic.twitter.com/kb91fJi2ZK
— MLB Venezuela (@MLB_VZ) May 21, 2017
Perhaps the most impressive stat about Avi this season is his WAR. In ’14 and ’15 his WAR was -0.4, and -1.0, respectively. ’15 was slightly better as he at least posted a positive WAR of 0.5. This year, through a little less than a third of the season, his WAR already stands at 1.8. That my friends, is downright shocking.
So What Has Changed?
Honestly nothing really when it comes to mechanics. He is actually walking less than he ever has, which normally would be a negative, but when he is hitting as well as he has, it does not really factor into play very much. The biggest thing he changed seems to be his mental approach. If you watch him at the plate, you can really see just how confident he looks as a hitter. Sure he has had a few games where he has gone 0-3 with 2 K’s, but he has not had a prolonged slump like White Sox fans are so used to seeing.
A few weeks back, Avi said in an interview how he is taking a different approach to games. He stated how each game, good or bad, it is about starting over, not thinking about what he has done already or what he needs to do in the future. Avi is focused on the now, and it is obviously working.
Another reason why Avi could finally be breaking out is his maturity. He is still just 25-years-old, but he has had MLB experience since 2014. For some, it really does take a little longer to tap into their potential. Avi could be the next example.
The biggest reason why Avi is having this much success early on is because there is literally zero pressure on him, or any of his teammates for that matter. They all know this is a rebuilding team. If they win, great. But if not, it really is not the worst thing in the world. Rick Renteria has been a breath of fresh air in the clubhouse, and he really seems to communicate well with everyone on the roster. If you watch the White Sox now, you will see a group of guys just playing a game and having fun. The majority of the players on the current roster will be gone in the next 2-3 years. Tim Anderson and Carlos Rodon are probably the only sure guarantees of staying. Avi Garcia is looking like a potential third lock. If he stays, he will be one of the leaders of a young White Sox squad.
Will He Ever Cool Off?
Unfortunately, yes. Every player goes through slumps, regardless of how good they are. Hell, look at the Cubs right now. Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber are both off to some pretty bad starts, but every baseball fan knows that they will eventually break out of it. They are just too good of players not to. It will be interesting to see how Avi handles the first extended slump this season. It will come, but if he really has come around, it will be much shorter than some of the ones we are accustomed to seeing from him.
Do The White Sox Trade Him While His Value Is At Its Highest?
This is going to become a popular topic as the trade deadline nears. I am standing firm on my answer to this question: Hard No. If Avi really has figured it all out and Rick Hahn flips him for prospects, it could come back to haunt the White Sox. Especially if those prospects never pan out. You don’t just trade a bat like Avi’s just to sell high because you can.
Now, he’s not going to be a .350 hitter for the rest of his career obviously, but if he has found a way to consistently hit .290, drive in 100+, and hit 25+ home runs, that is a player I do not move. Besides, the market for Avi right now is nonexistent at the moment. The biggest positions traded for at the deadline are almost always pitchers, both starters and bullpen pieces. Right now, Avi is looking like a player I would want the White Sox to trade FOR, not away. For now, Rick Hahn should, and probably will, keep his potential star outfielder.
MVP?
Right now, Avi is on pace for 130+ RBI’s and 30+ home runs. If he keeps his average where it is at now (unlikely), we are talking about a potential Triple Crown campaign. Talk about a comeback story. A player who was virtually on his way out of town comes back stronger than ever to take home an MVP award.
Even though the White Sox are mediocre at best this season and are going through a full fledged rebuild, the White Sox have not been this exciting since, hell… 2008? Changes are going to be coming fast on the South Side as prospects get called up throughout the year and more trades are eventually made. One constant will be Avi Garcia manning left field and crushing the baseball. The future of the White Sox may be 2-3 years away, but for Avi, it looks like the future is finally now.
