Buster Olney just released his rankings for RF on espn.com and Avi is regarded highly. The article is an insider feature, so you can't see the whole thing unless you subscribe. However, here's what he had to say about our future HOFer......

 

8. Avisail Garcia, Chicago White Sox

 

He got in better shape last year and had the best season of his career, batting .330 with a .380 OBP. A skeptic might focus on a number that might inevitably change for him: Last year, his batting average on balls in play was .392, the highest in the majors by a margin of 21 points. That number is bound to come down.

 

I can't wait to see him battle for MVP awards in the coming seasons! So glad the organization had patience with his development and we are going to be so rewarded over the next couple of decades.

It would be a hell of a player dev boon if Garcia turned into a legit contributor.

 

If it happens, I just hope it isn't too late to benefit from.

I'll take the under.

The MLB Network series, Top 10 Right Now, starts Saturday night with SS and 3B. They’ll do RF and 2B on the 20th.

I'll take the under.

 

How much lower than 8 would you rank him? I don't see him as the best or even 2nd best RFer yet. Maybe 3rd or 4th best?

Avi is very likeable. I hope he continues to have seasons like last year because it would be a pleasure for me to continue rooting for him. He's definitely one of my favorite Sox players in recent memory because of his continuing to improve and turning himself into a helluva hitter.

He roped the baseball last year. Hope he keeps it up not just to prove haters wrong but because his improvement should inspire other players who emerged at a still young age after putting in the work!

Cheers to Avi.

How much lower than 8 would you rank him? I don't see him as the best or even 2nd best RFer yet. Maybe 3rd or 4th best?

 

Judge

Betts

Harper

Stanton

 

All atleast ahead of him, could make arguments for others. I dont think 8 is crazy.

Fangraphs Depth Charts project him as tied at the 12th best RF with Kepler and Polanco and right behind Haniger (the RF projections list includes Hicks/Springer/Cruz/Eaton and Matt Olson also above Avi, but I wouldn't count them as RF), and really you should put him 11th unless you want to count both Stanton and Judge as RF this year. That also includes JD Martinez, who might not end up in RF if he signs with Boston, thus moving Avi up another spot. Next in line after Haniger are Mazara and Heyward, and you could argue for Avi over those two. #8 definitely doesn't seem outrageous even with regression.

I just hope he picks up where he left off. It's likely he won't be nearly at that level, but prior to 2017, he was someone that had no future here.

He is good but a 390 babip is not sustainable. He always was a high babip guy but 350 would be great.

 

That leaves him at a 115 wRC+ or so with average ish defense unless he improves his power or walk rate.

 

That is a good player but not a 4 win player of course. More like 2.5 or so.

 

He is good but a 390 babip is not sustainable. He always was a high babip guy but 350 would be great.

 

That leaves him at a 115 wRC+ or so with average ish defense unless he improves his power or walk rate.

 

That is a good player but not a 4 win player of course. More like 2.5 or so.

When JD Martinez went from a DFA guy to breakout, he had a .389 BABIP. The next season it went down to about .340 but he added homers. I think Avi could do the same thing. He should hit a lot more than 18.

Fangraphs Depth Charts project him as tied at the 12th best RF with Kepler and Polanco and right behind Haniger (the RF projections list includes Hicks/Springer/Cruz/Eaton and Matt Olson also above Avi, but I wouldn't count them as RF), and really you should put him 11th unless you want to count both Stanton and Judge as RF this year. That also includes JD Martinez, who might not end up in RF if he signs with Boston, thus moving Avi up another spot. Next in line after Haniger are Mazara and Heyward, and you could argue for Avi over those two. #8 definitely doesn't seem outrageous even with regression.

 

It really depends on how much he regresses. If he regresses back to the replacement level player he was prior then yes it is pretty outrageous.

 

We just don't know at this point. Which is why I don't blame teams that are not knocking on the door offering top 100 prospects. They could be burned pretty badly offering him 8th RF value in a trade

Judge

Betts

Harper

Stanton

 

All atleast ahead of him, could make arguments for others. I dont think 8 is crazy.

 

I'm assuming Judge or Stanton will be changed

I'll take the under.

Hmm, I seem to think you already did...

The MLB Network series, Top 10 Right Now, starts Saturday night with SS and 3B. They’ll do RF and 2B on the 20th.

That will be interesting to see if Avi ends up in the top 10. Of course the tittle say Top10 RIGHT NOW so he should be but they never stick to that always sighting past performance. My guess if Avi is on it he gets 10th or not at all.

When JD Martinez went from a DFA guy to breakout, he had a .389 BABIP. The next season it went down to about .340 but he added homers. I think Avi could do the same thing. He should hit a lot more than 18.

Ding ding ding - winner winner, chicken dinner.

Ding ding ding - winner winner, chicken dinner.

 

There's no reason Avi can't add some power to his game and be a 20+ home run hitter

 

 

There's no reason Avi can't add some power to his game and be a 20+ home run hitter

 

Yes he could do that. His exit velo is well above average, easily enough for 30 hr. Problem is he hits the ball too low, just 7.5 degrees average launch angle, the good hitters are usually 11-15 degrees. That is good for his babip but hurts his power.

Hmm, I seem to think you already did...

 

Yeah, assuming you're referring to the bet, who did I even make it with? I never got a PM from that person looking to claim their Portillos beef.

When JD Martinez went from a DFA guy to breakout, he had a .389 BABIP. The next season it went down to about .340 but he added homers. I think Avi could do the same thing. He should hit a lot more than 18.

Avi and his development will be one of the more interesting things to watch this seasons.

He certainly could make another big leap in production. I'm glad the Sox are keeping him to find out.

7th on the MLB Network list.