Detroit Tigers claim former top Phillies prospect off waivers
Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Phillies made a tough decision after it was announced that Nick Castellanos would be heading to the injured list with an oblique injury.
In a corresponding move to clean up the 40-man roster, former top prospect Luis Garcia was cut to make room for utility-man Dalton Guthrie. Garcia was then claimed off waivers yesterday by the Detroit Tigers.
You never really know what you’re going to get from a prospect. Garcia was having a really bad season, plagued by injuries. In 186 at-bats this year, he slashed just .167/.316/.569 with three home runs and 11 RBI. Garcia’s career numbers were never something to write home about either.Â
In 2017-2018, the Philadelphia Phillies signed international prospect Garcia. He was the third highest ranked shortstop behind only Wander Franco and Jelfry Marte.
The then 20-year old prospect appeared in 43 games in his first year of minor league ball and slashed, .369/.433/.488 with 11 doubles, three triples, and 32 RBI.
Garcia started out as a top prospect (No. 9) in the Phillies organization after a strong rookie campaign in 2018. From there, he never really developed into much of anything.
Factor in the emergence of Bryson Stott at shortstop, the lost minor league season in 2020, a bad showing in 2021, and an injury riddled 2022, and it makes sense that the Phillies had a hard time holding onto a prospect that hasn’t developed.Â
Good luck in Detroit.
