Adolis Garcia’s path to the majors and his subsequent rise to becoming the ALCS MVP were marked by incredible odds and remarkable perseverance. After Texas secured an 11-4 victory over Houston to clinch the AL Pennant, Garcia found himself in the spotlight, a testament to his unwavering self-belief and confidence, honed during his years in the minor leagues.
Adolis Garcia managed to find his way to Texas
Perhaps it’s not mere coincidence that Garcia’s professional journey commenced in Cuba in 2011 when he was just 18 years old, playing in the Cuban National Series. His baseball odyssey took him from Cuba to Japan at the age of 23 before he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent the years 2017-2019 in the minor leagues. Unfortunately, the Cardinals failed to recognize his talent, focusing more on his 159 strikeouts and just 22 walks, rather than his impressive 32 home runs in 2019.
In a strategic move during Jon Daniels’ tenure, Texas acquired Garcia in December 2019 for cash considerations, a move that now appears shrewd in hindsight. The Cardinals had such little faith in Garcia that they allowed Texas to purchase his rights for a nominal sum of cash, essentially moving on from him at the age of 26. After being designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers following spring training in 2021 and subsequently clearing waivers, Garcia finally earned his chance in the majors and never looked back.
Garcia’s ascension to superstardom coincided with a low point in the Texas Rangers’ history, with three consecutive losing seasons and a dearth of talent in the major league roster and minors. However, Garcia arrived at the perfect time to be molded into the player he could become. Texas recognized his raw power but aimed to refine him into a more complete hitter. This transformation involved reducing his tendency to chase pitches, increasing contact, and maintaining his power. It was a challenging transition for someone who had a reputation for swinging at nearly everything.
The Rangers were committed to Garcia
The Rangers committed to developing Garcia, and in his rookie season in 2021, he set a Texas Rangers’ rookie home run record with 31. Although he struggled in the latter part of the season, recording 194 strikeouts and a 31% strikeout rate, Texas persisted in refining his pitch recognition and plate discipline.
In 2022, Garcia showed progress, lowering his strikeout rate from 31% to 27% and increasing his walk rate from 5% to 6%. This progress continued into 2023 when a new coaching staff, led by Bruce Bochy, further enhanced Garcia’s approach at the plate. His strikeout rate remained steady, but his walk rate surged to 10%, indicating his improved ability to lay off pitches and capitalize on mistakes. This led to a career-high 39 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 65 walks.
Garcia’s standout performance in the ALCS solidified his status as a superstar. He outshone the Astros’ pitching strategies against Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, emerging as the player Houston couldn’t figure out. His heroics in games five through seven, including a critical three-run home run in game five, a game-six grand slam, and a phenomenal four-hit display in game seven with two home runs and five RBIs, will be etched in the memories of Texas Rangers’ fans.
Texas Rangers owe plenty to Adolis Garcia
Adolis Garcia’s journey is nothing short of a Hollywood script. If a movie were made about his life, baseball fans might find it too unbelievable. Yet, Garcia continues to live this dream, transitioning from a journeyman player seeking an opportunity to a central figure on a team headed to the World Series. His remarkable journey is both real and surreal, a testament to his hard work, improvement, and the charisma he brings to the team. The Texas Rangers’ journey to the World Series owes much to the acquisition of a player they acquired for a mere sum of cash.
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