Former Whitecap getting Leyland’s attention
Spring Training for the 2012 season is still in its infancy, yet already a former Whitecaps player is catching the eye of Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland. Reported by Chris Iott of MLive, Avisail Garcia is getting some looks for his batting practice displays.
“I think if you watched that young Garcia kid hit, you would have had to have been pretty impressed”, Leyland stated. “But you try not to get too carried away… But he’s a talent that’s coming. It’ll take a little time, but he’s a really good talent.”
Garcia has is 6′ 4″, and was listed last season at 230 lbs. Now he’s tipping the scales at about 240-45 after all the hard work he put in Venezuela in the off-season. Not bad for a prospect who’s only 20 years old. He played for the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2010, hitting .281 in 125 games. He also hit 17 doubles and knocked in 63 RBI’s. He’s been compared to Miguel Cabrera in both his facial features and body type, which isn’t a bad thing, and considers his fellow Venezuelan his friend. He also seemed very proud that Leyland was taking a close look at him at the plate.
” I feel good,” Garcia stated. “I work for that, you know. I’m proud of what he said.”
Photo courtesy of the West Michigan Whitecaps
Minoring In Baseball
Not to mention the fact that he has a super cool name! Avisail! That’s pretty rad.
–Jeff
Sounds like the Tigers faithful are going to start breaking out the “Free Avisail Garcia” signs soon. This has to be an absolutely amazing time in a young player’s career.
– Kristen
Jeff-I’m still standing my Dixon Machado as the coolest former ‘Cap name, but Avs has so much nick-name potential!
Kristen-I’m sure it’s a thrill for him, and he has many more years to earn a spot in this lineup.
Thanks for checking in..
-Mike