Luis Garcia Aspirations / Trepidations Thread

[varoadking]

sat next to a couple of Vargas haters Monday night.

Didn't know you knew GATA...who else was there?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Didn't know you knew GATA...who else was there?

Ian. He loves kicking bucks into the Lerners kitty. Had a couple of those big cans of Bud, got halfway through each, then got rid of them because they became warm swill.

[imref]

Silver Slugger finalist for 2024. Seriously! Unfortunately I'd guess Ketel Marte (.932 OPS / 36 HRs) is a lock to win.

[imref]

Do we do this?

https://www.talknats.com/2025/01/30/luis-garcia-jr-has-a-new-agent-will-he-get-a-contract-extension/

[rileyn]

Rough start for Garcia.  I was hoping he was going to build on 2024.

[Smithian]

Rough start for Garcia.  I was hoping he was going to build on 2024.

Right now, he is hitting way worse than even 2023. Nats haven't faced that many left handers so far, so that isn't the issue. Nats have already started Rosario several times against LHP, so they're trying to protect Luis Garcia from bad situations. Unless he has collapsed as a player, positive regression should be expected.

[Smithian]

Garcia starts tonight against a LHP.

I forgot that Trey Lipcomb has tough reverse platoon stats both in minors and majors, so he isn't a complement to Garcia. Unless Nunez starts playing 3B after return of Abrams, then looks like Luis Garcia is everyday 2B for a while, struggles or not.

[Smithian]

OPS of .780 past two weeks, overall OPS up to .622.

Will need a big hot streak to fix his full season numbers, but I think he is back to where he was last year.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

OPS of .780 past two weeks, overall OPS up to .622.

Will need a big hot streak to fix his full season numbers, but I think he is back to where he was last year.

hits in 7 out the last 8 games. Last bad series was the Pittsburgh series, which is looking like the nadir for the whole team, tbh. Over that 8 game stretch (2 in Colorado, 3 vs Bmor, 3 vs mets), he's .393 / .455 / .429. Just one double for an XBH over 33 PAs, but only 2Ks and 4 BBs, which is terrific for him.

[Slateman]

So I know metrics aren't everything, but he has -6 OAA and -14 DRS in 521 innings this season.

When we finally get rid of Bell, is it time to put Garcia at DH and either move CJ to 2B or play Tena there?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So I know metrics aren't everything, but he has -6 OAA and -14 DRS in 521 innings this season.

When we finally get rid of Bell, is it time to put Garcia at DH and either move CJ to 2B or play Tena there?

Rosario I think will now play 2b vs LHP.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I want Nunez to play full time, but the team might improve if he played vs lhp either at SS or 2B and cj or Garcia dh'd

[Slateman]

Rosario I think will now play 2b vs LHP.

I want Nunez to play full time, but the team might improve if he played vs lhp either at SS or 2B and cj or Garcia dh'd

I assumed this move is after the trade deadline and they move Bell. Either play Tena at 2B or move CJ and put Nunez at SS

[Smithian]

I think it is hard to ignore Garcia is on pace about halfway through for his worst season since 2021. Worst than the bat, he's regressed defensively.

Jose Tena should be playing 2B in Rochester.

[rileyn]

Garcia also looks to be on pace to weigh in at about 260 lbs by the end of the year.  The only question is, does he outgain Lowe and Bell?

[Slateman]

I think it is hard to ignore Garcia is on pace about halfway through for his worst season since 2021. Worst than the bat, he's regressed defensively.

Jose Tena should be playing 2B in Rochester.

His expected stats indicate a lot of bad luck. xBA of .309 with an xSLG of .499

[JCA-CrystalCity]

In an odd way, I think he's hurt by the rule that requires an infielder to keep his feet on the dirt prior to a pitch. He should be kind of Ronnie Belliard-ing second from the grass.

This team doesn't have passable middle infield defense from either guy.

[nobleisthyname]

His expected stats indicate a lot of bad luck. xBA of .309 with an xSLG of .499

Yeah if you just looked at process and not the results you would think García took another step forward this year. Walks are up (albeit still low), strikeouts are down, hard hit and barrel rates are up, and BABIP is about 25 points below his career average.

If only he could field.

[imref]

Congrats to Luis Garcia Jr. who is apparently now the longest tenured player in the Nationals organization, signed in 2016.  (Update: He and Adon signed on the same day, Adon made his minor league debut a few weeks before but Garcia Jr. reached the majors first).

[Smithian]

Congrats to Luis Garcia Jr. who is apparently now the longest tenured player in the Nationals organization, signed in 2016.  (Update: He and Adon signed on the same day, Adon made his minor league debut a few weeks before but Garcia Jr. reached the majors first).

He'll always be a cool story for first player born in 2000's to appear in a major league game, but I think he should be non-tender watch in the offseason. I'd prefer a Tena/DeJong platoon.

The bat regression was tolerable. Defensive regression isn't. At some point the Nats have to commit to giving the pitching a chance. I can live with CJ Abrams at SS but he has to be next to at least an average glove.

[Slateman]

Hes just lazy. He got motivated for one year, after being sent down. And its pretty obvious it didn't take. MLB clubhouses shouldn't have to motivate their players, particularly on defense.

We need to move CJ to 2B anyway. Trade him this offseason and find an interim solution at SS

[GataNats]

He'll always be a cool story for first player born in 2000's to appear in a major league game, but I think he should be non-tender watch in the offseason. I'd prefer a Tena/DeJong platoon.

The bat regression was tolerable. Defensive regression isn't. At some point the Nats have to commit to giving the pitching a chance. I can live with CJ Abrams at SS but he has to be next to at least an average glove.

Dejong has no business on a roster

[Slateman]

Garcia also needs to be hidden versus lefties. It’s a challenge.

Garcia needs to be DFA'd

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Garcia needs to be DFA'd

I think he's an asset. Not a high value building block, but one who can stick on MLB rosters.

If there were a prospect ready to try at 2nd or SS, then Garcia can be pushed aside. I know a lot of us think CJ's D is not SS quality, and there's value to seeing if he can play second before the offseason, but I don't see anyone pushing CJ over for the rest of the season. Had Nunez shown anything offensively, his D would make for a better case  as a regular.

2d base is a question mark going forward given Garcia's D.

[aspenbubba]

The real needs of this team going forward are catcher, 1B , SP and RP and that is no different from what we needed in 2024. I'm willing to let Garcia hold down 2B until we fill the above holes above by FA acquisitions and / or development from the underperforming drafts of the Rizzo era.