Brewers: 3 Players Under Pressure Heading Into 2020

Avisail Garcia, RF

This final player on this list was hard for me to choose. I was debating picking new catcher Omar Narvaez, but with his production last year with Seattle, combined with the catcher position not being too focused on offense, I decided to go with Garcia.

Not too long ago, Garcia was an All-Star with the White Sox back in 2017 after hitting .330 with 18 HR and 80 RBI. I am putting the pressure on Garcia because of what he can mean to the Brewers this time. After a bounce back year with the Rays last season, Garcia showed what kind of hitter he can be. The glove will not flash off the charts, while the DH being universal this year might allow Garcia to just focus on hitting.

The big question is what kind of hitter will the Brewers be getting in Garcia. The 2017 and 2019 Garcia is well worth the money they paid him, but the 2018 and pre 2017 Garcia is a player that looked more like a bust to baseball fans. Health is always a big scare with Garcia, who has had his share of DL stints.

Behind the bat of Christian Yelich, Garcia’s potential can have him being the second most feared hitter the Brewers currently have. Garcia is able to hit for average, as well as power. The amount of experience and stints of success allow Garcia to be an intriguing player for the Brewers. The 60 game regular season benefits Garcia as he has trouble staying healthy for a full 162 game season.

Under these circumstances, if Garcia gets off to a hot start, we can be talking about an All-Star hitter. Garcia can take this offense from top 10 to one of the best with his abilities. However, there is the chance of getting the poor version of Garcia given his roller coaster-like track record, combined with the poor sample size this Spring Training.

If Garcia can hit .290 with 15 HR and 55 RBI, I truly believe this signing will be a steal and will take some of the pressure off of Yelich. Garcia’s potential puts tons of pressure on him, and with the whispers of his shaky career thus far, this year he can prove his hitting tools are for real. Garcia can be the key to this team making the playoffs, which I believe he will do this season.

If we see the below average Garcia, we can be talking about a huge disappointment. Garcia is a key piece, and the way he plays can affect the entire offense which is why the pressure is on, along with him being one of the main pieces signed by the Brewers this offseason.