Jhostynxon Garcia’s rise through the Red Sox system has accelerated into one of the organization’s most intriguing storylines this summer. Once unlisted, Garcia now checks in as the No. 78 prospect per MLB rankings and has been mashing since his promotion to Triple-A, hitting .308 with a .945 OPS, 17 homers and 56 RBIs in 65 games. After a steadier stint at Portland, he’s found another gear in Worcester.
With Boston’s outfield crowded, Worcester has begun experimenting with Garcia at first base to get his bat into the lineup more often. The move reflects both roster reality and a plan to maximize Garcia’s offensive value while addressing any long-term positional questions. In his first game at first, he displayed a promising scoop and generally athletic play; there’s still polish to add, but the initial signs were encouraging.
At 22, Garcia combines power and contact against advanced pitching, making him a prime candidate for an MLB look if he sustains this level of production. His ability to become at least a passable defender at first base would also broaden Boston’s options and raise his call-up stock. For now, Worcester fans are getting a treat: a young slugger learning a new position while continuing to hammer Triple-A pitching.
