Name: Harold Garcia
Position: 2B
Bats: SW
Throws: RH
DOB: 10/25/86 (24 as of April 1, 2011)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 164 lbs
Drafted: amateur free agent, 2004 (undisclosed bonus)
Pre Draft Report: Harold Garcia was signed at 17 out of Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela. Maracaibo is a baseball-rich portion of the country, having produced several major leaguers including the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez and Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio, and a team from the city won the 2000 Little League World Series. Pre-signing reports on Garcia are seemingly non-existent (or at least quite minimal).
Career Synopsis: Garcia spent ages 18-20 (2005-2007) playing in the Venezuelan Summer League, compiling a .276/.398/.397 line over 405 plate appearances. He didn’t display any power and minimal speed, but did show good control of the strike zone with a 10% walk rate and 15% K rate over the three seasons. In his final season in the VSL, he split time between 2B and 3B, making 22 errors in his 32 games at the hot corner.
He finally made his stateside debut in 2008 at age 21, spending the season in the GCL. He jumped onto the radar with a .295/.401/.506 line and tacked on some steals as well (17 for 19). He kept K and BB rates at their historic levels as well. Following that season, Garcia participated in the Florida Instructional League.
Garcia moved to Lakewood for 2009 and again produced, posting a .291/.350/.414 and added 42 steals in 54 attempts. He was named a SAL all-star. On the downside, his K rate jumped to 20% while his walk rate fell to 6% and he made a career high 14 errors at 2B. Following the season, he played for his hometown team in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Garcia’s 2010 was delayed by an injured hamate bone. He arrived in Clearwater in mid-May and had arguably his best stint with any team, putting up a .335/.397/.492 line which included a FSL record 37-game hitting streak. Almost immediately after the streak ended, Garcia was promoted to Reading. He got off to a slow start (7 for 31), but ended with a respectable .281/.340/.403 line. Across the two stops, he stole 29 bases in 40 attempts and his K and walk rates didn’t deteriorate any further.
Following the season, the Phillies planned to send Garcia to the FIL to get reps at 3B, LF, and CF, although subsequent reports said that he played everywhere but P, C, and CF.
Scouting Report: Below is an assessment of the player’s raw tools. The grades are based on the 20-80 scouting scale. To understand more about this, check out this page. In addition to the individual grades, I’ve included an Overall Future Projection grade which is a summary that gives an idea of what the player’s role is likely to be in the majors, if he gets there.
Hit For Average: 45
Hit For Power: 45
Fielding: 50
Throwing Arm: 50
Speed: 50
OFP: 45
[Updated 31-Jan-2012]
Summary: Garcia profiles best as a strong utility player, but he could turn in to a second division starter if things break right. His biggest issue is that he just lost an entire season through injury, and will now enter 2012 as a 25 year old with only a half season at the AA level. He’ll need to recover all of his speed to still be an average runner and not have it impact his defense.
Profile updated 31-January-2012
