Aramis Garcia knew what he needed to work on this offseason.
The Giants top catching prospect, labeled a bat-first player in scouting reports, focused primarily on his defense.
"Ever since I've signed, that's one they've emphasized on me, just to improve on my defense. I know this offseason in particular, I went home and I really focused on my defense a lot, receiving in particular. Just every day, catching balls off the machine, just getting all that repetition in and receiving balls the right way, working on pitch presentation," Garcia said on KNBR 680 on Saturday. "I feel like this offseason has been really beneficial for me from that aspect to improve on my defense."
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Garcia, picked by the Giants in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, had a breakout season in 2015 and entered the 2016 season as San Francisco's No. 7 ranked prospect according to Baseball America.
But facial fractures sustained in May while sliding into second base to try to break up a double play during a High-A California League game cost him two and a half months.
Now healthy, Garcia wants to improve his hands and his pitch framing.
"Gotta have nice soft hands. More than anything, I feel like today, with the framing metrics, it's a lot about pitch presentation too. Presenting the pitch well to the umpire and getting as many calls as possible," Garcia, the Giants' No. 9 prospect, said.
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The 24-year-old Florida International product finished the 2016 season with High-A San Jose, but he doesn't want to repeat the level. His goal was to go to spring training and show he's ready for the next level.
"I just want to come in and show these guys all the work I've done this offseasn and show them why I deserve to start out in [Double-A] Richmond," Garcia said.