Avisail Garcia was not particularly fond of being pushed into the role of designated hitter last season when the White Sox had an unexpected opening in spring training.
He believes he can still be a solid right fielder, and the rebuilding Sox appear primed to give him a chance to prove it this year.
Garcia, 25, said Monday he worked all but two weeks of the offseason to prepare for that opportunity.
He got 113 at-bats and honed his defense while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. He also dropped from 268 pounds to 254 and has a goal to reach 248 pounds by the time the season starts.
“I feel better like this,” Garcia said. “I can run better like this. I can play better defense. I can hit better. I just have to keep working and lose a little bit more.
“(Right field) is my regular position, and I know can do my job there, a really good job.”
When DH Adam LaRoche retired in the middle of spring training last year, the Sox opted to use Garcia as one of the substitutes. The decision was reinforced when they saw the better defense they received from the combination of Austin Jackson in center field and Adam Eaton in right field.
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
But Jackson, who injured his knee in June, is with the Indians on a minor-league deal, and Eaton was traded to the Nationals in the offseason. That leaves Garcia with the primary look in right field this spring, according to manager Rick Renteria.
FanGraphs credited Garcia with one defensive run saved over the 55 games he played in the outfield in 2016 – and minus-11 over the 130 games in right field in 2015.
But Garcia, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract to avoid arbitration this year, expressed confidence he can be better.
“No pressure — I know I can play baseball,” Garcia said. “That’s what I’m here for. I just have to believe I can do a good job in right field.”
As for his offense, Garcia will look to better his .245 batting average with 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 51 RBIs and .692 OPS in 2016.
Renteria didn’t put much weight this week into the idea that Garcia’s hitting was affected by being the designated hitter.
But he and general manager Rick Hahn have both referenced his better numbers with runners in scoring position – a .355 batting average and .958 OPS in 2016 – suggesting improved overall numbers could be about his approach when the adrenaline isn’t pumping.
“Obviously he’s got strength and the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Renteria said. “He has to focus on staying within himself. … We are just trying to make sure he focuses on homing in and simplifying what he wants to do in terms of approaches.”
Garcia likely won’t be entirely free of the DH role this spring, however.
Renteria expects to use several players in the role when they need a rest — including Garcia and Jose Abreu.
“It’s not my position, but last year I tried to handle that situation,” Garcia said. “I do my best, but I think my real position is in the outfield.”
Caption Rick Renteria on competition between White Sox’s catchers
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Rick Renteria on competition between White Sox’s catchers
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Geovany and Giovanni Soto on sharing the same name: ‘It’s kind of weird’
White Sox catcher Geovany Soto and pitcher Giovanni Soto discuss sharing the same name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catcher Geovany Soto and pitcher Giovanni Soto discuss sharing the same name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Charlie Tilson, Rick Renteria on Tilson’s stress reaction in right foot
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Peter Bourjos on his decision to sign with the White Sox
Peter Bourjos discusses his decision to sign a minor-league deal with the White Sox on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Peter Bourjos discusses his decision to sign a minor-league deal with the White Sox on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jose Abreu on White Sox’s first two days of spring training
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu reacts after the first two days of spring training on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu reacts after the first two days of spring training on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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