By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
The Boston Red Sox have officially called up outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, a move that should provide a significant boost to the lineup. Red Sox hitters have shown enough versatility and collective pressure to wear down opposing pitchers more often than not, but they were due for some help along the way.
It comes at no better time than ahead of a crucial four-game series against the New York Yankees. Garcia, a right-handed batter listed at 6-foot and about 225 pounds, balances the offense for the competitive stretch ahead in a few different ways.
Right-handed hitting was needed: Garcia, being a right-handed hitter, already fills a lineup gap the Red Sox were bound to address. Although the team boasts right-handed slugger Alex Bregman as its biggest threat, the roster overall is filled with left-handed impact players. This now allows the Red Sox to roll out a lineup that offers not only different looks but also equally potent threats. The domino effect will change how teams approach the offense, and Garcia should be ready to make an impact as part of it.
An additional power threat was needed: Garcia, coming from Triple-A where he hit 20 home runs and drove in 73 runs, adds a much-needed power dynamic to the batting order as well. The Red Sox have relied on right-handed hitters like Bregman and Trevor Story for too long when it comes to power production. Adding another power bat should help players loosen up at the plate and attack what’s there to take. The lineup is now deeper and better equipped to compete against elite competition.
Team peskiness remains intact: Garcia’s power also comes with much-needed plate discipline, which should help add peskiness to a lineup that has been forced to prioritize it. This also bodes well for Garcia’s chances of sticking with the major league club, as fitting the lineup’s identity is a key marker for manager Alex Cora. The major leagues are a completely different environment, though, so Garcia will need to maintain that discipline at this level as well. Do yourself a favor and keep an eye on his pitch recognition early on.
Did this happen solely because of Wilyer Abreu’s injury? Possibly, but any reason would have been enough for a hot hitter like Garcia to earn a promotion.
With the season wearing on and wins prioritized by both struggling and contending teams, the major league roster should see this call-up as a breath of fresh air. Although a situational pinch-hit appearance in his first attended Red Sox regular season game is possible for Garcia, expect him to face left-handed pitchers primarily as a way for the Red Sox to ease him in mentally.
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