Don't Count Deivi Garcia Out Of The 2021 Picture

  Well, if you are a fan or a member of the New York Yankees, then you know that the pinstriped organization was built on championships that were obtained because of talented acquisitions.

  Whether the Yanks sign big name baseball players to big contract or acquire stellar- young stars as prospect that develop within the minors, the Steinbrenner family has gone after the best talent in baseball. As a matter fact, the team has developed a reputation for having one of the deepest minor league system in baseball. In a Sunday afternoon game in August 2020 at Yankee Stadium, Deivi Garcia became another example of just how effective the team’s far system really is.

  In the second game of the Yankee-Mets doubleheader, Deivi Garcia got his debut shot and he proved his worth as one one of the young studs that has one of the best breaking ball in the Minor Leagues. The pitch has come to be known for its high- spin curveball effect that has so much depth. With that being said, Garcia does have some difficulty landing it into the catcher’s mit for a strike, but he also whiffs bats with a fastball that ranges from 97-99 mph with high spin rates that allows it to ride upward in the strike zone.

  Garcia acquired a line of 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 Ks in his debut, but unfortunately he didn’t  come away with the W against the Mets. The 5-2 W went to Jonathan Holder instead of Garcia, but all things considered, the youngster did well in his 2020 debut.

  The No. 3 prospect rated by MLB Pipeline told the media that he was not nervous through a Spanish interpreter and I believe he made the right self-evaluation of his performance. He also added in a statement to the media, "I definitely understood the task in front of me, and I wanted to do the best I could to help my teammates.” Even though he didn’t get the W, I really do believe he has what it takes to wear the pinstripes in the majors and he certainly has the work ethic to eventually become a mai stay on the major league roster.

  As a fan and a writer, it was fun watching him as the 29th man for Sunday’s twin bill during the pandemically- fractured season, García became the first pitcher in Yankees history to debut with least six or more innings with no earned runs and no walks. Man, it was interesting to watch him showcase that sneaky fastball and a terrific curveball in his Prime-Time debut, scattering four hits across a 75-pitch performance.

  “Nothing really seems to faze him,” manager Aaron Boone said. “...He was having fun tonight the whole time. You’d see him walk in after an inning like it was no big deal. He’d kind of smile and make some jokes. It was fun to watch him compete.”

  For me, I have to agree with our pinstriped manager, it was fun to watch Garcia pound the strike zone. I sure hope the Yanks do everything to block a guy like Garcia from ever having to wear another team’s uniform, just like they did everything to prevent Clint Frazier from becoming a trading chip.

  It goes without saying, Garcia performed at his best in his first major league outing of 2020, but don’t just take my words and run with it. Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez had some words to say about Garcia. At the time, the notorious Yankee rival said in a tweet, “Congrats to 21-year-old Dominican pitcher Deivi Garcia on an excellent debut for the Yankees. He did a great job at mixing his pitches…” The HOF continued to say in the tweet that, “…His body looked stable and fully extended. I was impressed with the way he commanded his pitches.”

  Garcia must of felt proud to be compared to someone in Cooperstown, but he earned comparisons to Pedro Martinez long before reaching the majors. Quite frankly Martinez didn’t seem to have a problem with that. 

  A year later, Garcia doesn't show any signs of slowing down, as he is showing consistency of his stellar arsenal during his 2021 spring training games.

Deivi Garcia frontal shot of throwing pitch vs. Blue Jays

  Garcia was tabbed with another spring start today to square off against the Jays' in a Sunday matinee, and overall he did what he was suppose to do. Producing a three-inning performance, he allowed just one unearned run on one hit and two walks, all while striking out two over 44 pitches.

  Garcia knows that he has what it takes to be the number five starter that the Yanks are looking for to fill the void of the starting rotation, and well with a start like today's, the Pedro Martinez-like pitcher is definitely making the Yankees' decision a tough one.

  "I try to give the best I have every single time I go out," he said after the game via Zoom. "I try to improve every outing, every time I go out there. And I think if you keep doing that, little by little, you can state your case.”

  Manager Aaron Boone puts his two cents in about the pitching competition that also includes Domingo German at the top of the list. The pinstriped manager actually views it more as a good problem to have throughout the season, knowing that both players will impact the team at some point.

"....I mean, the first thing I would say is I’m really excited about where both guys are," Boone explained before Garcia took the mound. "...I think the entire staff would have tremendous confidence in giving either one of them the ball in any situation in a game." Looking at the long term plan Boone says that, "I feel like we sit here in the middle of March, we’re in a pretty good place as far as where our potential starting pitching is and where our starting pitching depth is."

  There will be a lot of things to consider as Garcia has proven his worth. Knowing what Garcia did in his debut, the quality start he had in his previous spring start against the Tigers and now taking into account today's start.....well, he has a strong case going for him to be name the fifth man in the rotation