Former New York Yankees catcher Erik Kratz has criticized the team’s handling of pitching prospect Deivi Garcia in a recent podcast appearance. Kratz, who caught Garcia’s MLB debut in 2020, expressed his disappointment with the front office’s decisions regarding Garcia’s career trajectory. The young hurler was designated for assignment by the Yankees earlier this week.
Kratz, known for considering himself a mentor to Deivi Garcia, blamed the organization for the downfall of the once-promising prospect. He lamented the lack of proper coaching and support for Garcia during his time in the big leagues. According to Kratz, the Yankees had the opportunity to trade Garcia for valuable assets, but they failed to do so, resulting in his eventual designation for assignment.
Who is Deivi Garcia?
Garcia, now 24, spent most of the 2023 season in the minor leagues. Despite showing glimpses of his potential during the shortened 2020 season, he struggled to find consistency in the majors. The Chicago White Sox claimed Garcia off waivers and assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate.
The pitcher had a rocky journey, with injuries and inconsistency hampering his progress. He had a 5.67 ERA in Triple-A this season and made only two starts for the Yankees in 2021. Kratz pointed out that Garcia’s situation is a prime example of the mishandling of a young talent by the Yankees’ front office.
Garcia’s potential was evident in his 2020 performance, but subsequent seasons saw his struggles continue. Despite the initial promise, his career took a downturn due to a lack of proper coaching and development within the Yankees organization. The saga serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by young prospects in navigating the complex world of professional baseball.
As the Yankees move forward, they’ll have to reevaluate their approach to nurturing and developing their young talent to avoid repeating similar missteps in the future.
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