4 days ago
'The Password' getting work in at first base, making strides to play position next week with WooSox
WORCESTER — Jhostynxon Garcia keeps swinging a hot bat in Triple-A Worcester.
And soon the outfielder nicknamed 'The Password' could be rocking a new glove.
After reports circulated last week that Garcia may see time at first base with the WooSox, the No. 2 prospect in the Red Sox organization (per rankings) went through introductory turf work with ground balls ahead of Worcester's win Sunday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Venezuelan-born Garcia worked on his footwork around the bag and receiving throws at first base prior to playing center field for the WooSox in back-to-back games.
So could we soon see "The Password" play in a game at first base?
'Maybe, who knows?' Garcia told the T&G through translator and WooSox defensive coach Iggy Suarez. 'Maybe (in) a week, I'll be able to be comfortable enough.'
'Let's see how (it) goes,' WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. 'But we're progressing towards that for sure.'
The whole first base discussion aside, Garcia has been scorching hot as of late at the plate for Triple-A Worcester.
The 22-year-old was named International League Player of the Week (from July 28 to Aug. 3) after batting .417 (10 for 24) with 4 doubles, 4 home runs, 13 RBIs and 8 runs in six games. He also played in all three outfield spots for the WooSox.
'He showed, in a full week, all the different skills and tools he has and the ways he can impact a game on both sides of the ball,' Tracy said. 'It was a really, really good week for him.'
Among his highlights for the week, Garcia hit a grand slam and clobbered homers in three straight games — traveling distances of 441, 356 and 380 feet, respectively.
In 55 games with the WooSox this season, Garcia is batting .312 with 15 home runs (to lead the team) and 47 RBIs. He began the year with Double-A Portland and played in 33 games (.256/3/17) before being promoted to Worcester on May 20.
'He has been awesome,' Tracy said.
With Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu (and veterans Rob Refsynder and Masataka Yoshida) making up a crowded outfield in Boston, the Red Sox decided to see what Garcia can offer at first base following an MLB trade deadline upon which the club opted not to add any position players from outside the organization.
Since starting first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury on May 2, the Red Sox have platooned Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez at the position in Boston.
But with The Password knocking on the door for a call up to the big leagues, the organization is seeing how he fares at first base in Worcester to see if Garcia can give them a little flexibility at the position during the stretch run.
'Our outfield situation in the big leagues is pretty clear cut,' Tracy said.
Already in his fifth professional season since the Red Sox signed him as an international free agent in July 2019, Garcia was added to Boston's 40-man roster this past offseason.
Now the steady outfielder — with a hot bat — is tackling a new challenge with Worcester: first base. Garcia is hoping to help the Red Sox with their playoff push in any capacity necessary.
'(I'm) willing to do whatever the team asks,' Garcia said. 'Anything to help contribute and, obviously, those guys are winning up there. Whatever they ask, I'm willing to do.'
—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia continues progress at first base
