PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Adolis García was stuck in a brutal 3-for-57 slump, the worst stretch of his MLB career.
The numbers were so bad he didn’t even want to look at them at the end of May. “If it wasn’t my worst month, it was my second worst,” he admitted through a translator. “You just keep working and trying to improve. That’s how you push through.”
In May, García hit just .125 with a .400 OPS, striking out 38 times while walking only nine. He finished the month batting .053 with no homers, two RBIs, and a .279 OPS embarrassing numbers for any player, especially one as competitive as García.
After the Phillies returned from a six-game road trip where García went 0-for-18, the veteran slugger headed to Citizens Bank Park on an off-day to hit in the lab. “We weren’t getting the results we wanted,” he said. “We agreed on that.”
The turnaround
The extra work paid off quickly. In a series sweep of the San Diego Padres, García batted .300 with a 1.000 OPS, including a 429-foot home run in Game 3, which he admired with a long stare after tossing his bat. It was his first homer since May 6. “The hitting coaches and I have been grinding to find my swing the one that defines me,” he said. García was the only player taking batting practice on the field Thursday after coming in Monday to work on his mechanics.
He has no choice, and neither do the Phillies. He must figure it out while the team explores other options. “I feel comfortable at the plate now, taking good swings at good pitches,” he said. “That’s what you aim for.”
A right-handed need
García was the Phillies’ major offseason change, signing a one-year, $10 million deal to upgrade from Nick Castellanos. While he’s been a big defensive improvement, he also reflects the team’s right-handed hitting struggles. Phillies righties rank last in MLB in average (.202), OBP (.263), slugging (.314), and OPS (.578).
Philadelphia needs one of its right-handed bats to step up. For three days, at least, García has. “He’s gaining confidence,” said manager Don Mattingly. “Better rhythm, better at-bats. Credit to him and the hitting coaches for staying with it.”
The Phillies have few backups if García falters again. Gabriel Rincones, just back from a knee injury, is hitting .241 with a .643 OPS in Triple-A. Félix Reyes is crushing it (.317, 7 HR, 1.047 OPS in 14 games), but Mattingly said, “We know what Félix can do. There’s no need to bring him up to sit. We’re set at left field and first base. He’s better off developing and succeeding there.”
For now, García remains the man until Philadelphia decides he’s past the point of no return and they’re not there yet.
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