March 12--Avisail Garcia said he doesn't need extra motivation to improve on his 2015 production, but the White Sox provided it anyway this week.
When the Sox added Austin Jackson to the mix on a one-year, $5 million contract Sunday, they gave themselves more flexibility to address the shortcomings of their other outfielders doling out playing time.
Garcia, 24, said he doesn't know what Jackson's arrival will mean for him. Instead, he plans to keep plugging away at adjustments he made after hitting .257 with a .675 OPS, 13 homers, 59 RBIs, 36 walks and 141 strikeouts last season.
"I just have to keep playing," Garcia said. "If they put me in right (field), I will do my best. ... Everybody wants to win, and I'm in the same place."
Early spring results often don't mean much, but Garcia and the Sox will take his showings thus far as promising. He is 9-for-17 with three doubles, a triple, a home run and nine RBIs over six spring games.
"His discipline has been way above the average it was in the past," hitting coach Todd Steverson said. "Nothing is going to be perfect. This game is not perfect. People can't expect him ... never ever chase another bad pitch because it's going to happen. But he's working his tail off to try to rectify some of (his) issues last year."
Steverson was pleased when he went to Miami to work with him on subtle adjustments at the plate, which Garcia said included moving his hands closer to the strike zone and standing taller in the box. Steverson said he thinks it can be difficult to adjust during the season so it's important to discuss needed changes outside of the daily grind.
"He was able to reflect, see what went down," Steverson said. "We were able to talk about it at length and have him understand (criticism) and start answering the questions of why. ... The first step is really embracing the thought process that something needs to be different."
Sox manager Robin Ventura reiterated it's key for Garcia to continue to buy in to the adjustments. Following his hot start, Garcia is talking like he will do so.
"It helped me a lot," Garcia said of the offseason discussion. "I will do whatever (Steverson) says because I know it's going to work for me. He wants the best for me. I know he wants to help me."
Jackson, who is likely to see his first action for the Sox in a B game Saturday, is expected to play mostly center field, and Adam Eaton could move between center and right. That alignment could mean Garcia sees time at designated hitter, where he has started 17 career games.
Ventura said "everything is really on the table" because of a greater roster flexibility this season.
"I just like to play baseball, so I will (anything) with all of my passion and all of my love ..." Garcia said "DH, right field, center field, first base -- wherever they put me, I'll do my best."
ckane@tribpub.com
