Adolis Garcia had a very successful 2021. He became an All-Star. He broke Rangers rookie records. Garcia also hit 31 homers and stole 16 bags. Garcia also had 16 outfield assists. All in all it was an amazing rookie campaign.
The Why
Rangers fans loved him last season, but he reminds me of another player Rangers fans loved until they didn’t. In 2019, Danny Santana 28 homers and stole 16 bases. He knocked in 81 runs to Garcia’s 90. Santana was a fan favorite for sure. His track record before 2019 and after 2019 are not stellar. From 2014-2018, Santana had a total of 17 long balls and 123 RBI. Since 2019 Santana played a shortened 2020 where he was injury riddled and a 2021 where he got limited at bats and hit .183.
Garcia had a marvelous rookie campaign, and he could turn out to be Nelson Cruz like and not Danny Santana like. Because fans I talk to seem to think he is a sure thing to be the Rangers center fielder or right fielder going forward. That is not the case, and I’ll tell you why.
The Opinion
The Rangers are not convinced that he is the long term answer, or they wouldn’t still be looking for outfielders. Their name has come up for players like Seiya Suzuki, Kris Bryant, Starling Marte and others. Although he had a great season, that is really all it was. A great season. There is a large collection of players that had one good MLB season and then disappeared. While Garcia could be one of them, he may turn out great. I just feel like it is not quite time to crown him an everyday player just yet.
The Conclusion
Optimism is not a bad thing. I have no problem with Rangers fans hoping that Garcia will be in a Rangers uniform for years to come and be an All-Star year after year. I only think we should all come to grips with the fact that it may not happen that way. In a sport where there is a stat for everything (like how someone hits against a pitcher with blue eyes during the day), we all know that one year does not make a career. Here’s hoping that Adolis Garcia proves the optimistic fans right and me totally wrong.
