The Reds made a big splash on the Cuban market in 2017 by signing the 19 year-old for $5,000,000, but that bonus amount put the Reds in the penalty and actually meant they had to pay a 100% tax on the deal, totaling $10,000,000. It was a hefty investment, but one that looks like could turn into an everyday big leaguer and provide a boost to a team that really needs it.
The Reds have struggled out of the gate, sitting at 11-17 entering play on Thursday with a team slash line of .203/.306/.393, which is bottom third in all categories and last in average. Their infield in particular has been struggling, with Joey Votto (.191/.321/.326), Mike Moustakas (.200/.327/.375), Freddy Galvis (.218/.299/.499) and Eugenio Suarez (.158/.279/.337) all significantly below average. Garcia is coming off a .280/.343/.436 line with High-A Daytona and arrives in the show without seeing a pitch in Double-A.
THE RANKINGS
Jose Garcia ranked 1st on the Cincinnati Reds Top 30 list and 114th in our Top 500 Fantasy list. He was 100th on our Pre-Season Top 100 Prospects list.
THE TOOLS
Hit (50 present/55 future): Our own Will Scharnagl was by far the earliest and loudest voice on Jose Garcia, and had him ranked as the top prospect in the Reds system due to his offensive improvements. His first taste of pro ball stateside wasn’t anything to write home about, as he only put up an 81 wRC+ in the Midwest League. I think people forget about the defecting process and how long players can go in between games. After signing in 2017 he didn’t appear in a competitive game until getting assigned to the Midwest League, a tough offensive league. Since then he’s found himself and become an offensive threat. He finds the barrel with quick hands and will make contact. He’s an aggressive hitter but he’s growing into his athletic, wiry frame and there’s enough here to be an average to slightly above-average hitter, despite likely being a 20 K% guy.
Power (50 game/60 raw): We saw a glimpse of Garcia’s power potential when he led the team with four homers this spring in only 26 at-bats. His power has been hidden because he’s played his only professional games to this point in the Midwest League and the Florida State League, two notoriously pitcher-friendly leagues. He’s also reworked his swing after filling out some and growing into his frame. He’s added a leg-kick, which Will Scharnagl describes as “Josh Donaldson-esque” due to the extension and separation that comes from it. He’s a pull-heavy hitter, and he should hit enough flyballs to pop 25 homers a year as a regular in Cincinnati.
Defense/Arm (60/70): Garcia is as advertised defensively, and has lived up to the plus defensive grades given to him when he initially came over. It’s a larger frame for a shortstop (six-foot-two, and over 200 pounds) but he moves extremely well with strong instincts. As he’s filled out he hasn’t lost a step and still looks like the Reds long-term solution at shortstop. His arm is a plus-plus weapon and Garcia can be an elite defender.
Speed (60/60): After the long lay-off Garcia struggled a bit on the basepaths in the Midwest League with only a 59% success rate. His second full season saw his success rate jump to 88%, and he has the ability to chip in 10-15 steals at the big league level. He’s filled out some but maintained his plus speed thus far, and we will see if he’s able to maintain that.
PREDICTION
Reds Manager David Bell hinted that there’s a chance Garcia could see a lot of playing time going forward, which would push Freddy Galvis into more of a utility role. The Reds may have the worst defensive team in the National League, so his presence up the middle will drastically improve the overall defense. He started at shortstop and hit eighth in his debut, and should occupy a spot in the bottom third of the order.
FANTASY IMPACT
Garcia is worth a pick up in all 15-team leagues, while adding him to the watch list in smaller formats and monitor the playing time to determine if he’s worth an add in shallower formats. Garcia can chip in a handful of homers and a few stolen bases in the month or so left of the season, but there’s some batting average risk here for the 22-year-old.