Garcia Working on the Full Package

BINGHAMTON, NY - Centerfielder Emmanuel Garcia is a veteran of the B-Mets roster, but in 2009 he took on a new position when he switched to the outfield. While focused on improving his defense, Garcia still has not lost sight of the importance of developing every part of his game.

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Binghamton centerfielder Emmanuel Garcia is easing in to his new position.

The 23-year-old Garcia was moved to centerfield after spending the majority of his career in the infield and is adjusting well to his new surroundings.

“I’m trying really hard at learning the new position,” Garcia said. “I’m enjoying it, but it’s new for me.”

Garcia’s infield defense had become a concern over his career after he committed 35 errors in 2007 with High-A St. Lucie and 17 more in 2008 with Binghamton. Not wanting to lose his speed or bat, the Mets chose to move him to the outfield.

“I’m comfortable out there,” he said. “I’ve got the legs for it. I’ve got the speed to play centerfield and I like chasing and running after balls. I try to cover as much ground as I can.”

“He was moved from second base to centerfield and I think, overall, he’s doing a good job,” said Binghamton manager Mako Oliveras. “He needs to work on some things here or there, but overall he’s doing a good job.”

Garcia has played 67 of his 71 games in centerfield this year and has only committed three errors. He realizes, however, that there is still much room for improvement.

“Going for balls at the wall—I still need a better feeling for it, so I’m working on that,” he explained.

Garcia has also played a key role in the B-Mets offense this year as the team’s leadoff hitter. He has posted a .274 batting average with 11 doubles, three triples, four homeruns and 27 RBI.

“He’s doing a decent job as a leadoff hitter,” Oliveras said. “He has to cut down on strikeouts and improve his walks and his on-base percentage. He still has to learn to drive the ball to left field.”

Garcia has struck out 64 times while walking only 19 times in 285 at-bats with a .318 on-base percentage.

“Every day I’m trying to get five at-bats—that’s my main goal—and to try to get at least two or three times on first base,” Garcia said. “I always need to increase and improve my on-base percentage so I can steal bases and score runs for my team.”

Scoring runs and stealing bases have not been an issue for Garcia this year. His 41 runs scored are good for the team lead and are tied for tenth most in the Eastern League. On the base paths, Garcia’s team-high 16 stolen bases are fourth most in the league and has been caught only five times so far.

“My speed is very important to me,” he said. “Every time I hit a ground ball I need to bust it to first base. I don’t have great power so speed is my number one tool. I need to use it.”

“Garcia brings a lot of energy,” said Oliveras. “He’s a young kid still learning how to play the game.”

As for the rest of the season, Garcia looks to improve on what he does best.

“I just want to be the guy who scores more runs and steals more bases,” said the centerfielder. “Just keep going one at-bat at a time—don’t give at-bats away. You need to work hard every day.”

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