New York Yankees: Deivi Garcia gives up home run in second Dominican Winter League appearance

New York Yankees, Deivi Garcia
Sep 15, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Deivi Garcia (83) delivers a pitch during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees pitcher Deivi Garcia gave up a two-run home run en route to a loss in his second Dominican Winter League appearance.

Garcia went just two innings, allowing two hits and a walk. He struck out one and threw 32 pitches.

In the first inning, Garcia worked out of a two out jam by getting a hard groundout to second base. A two out walk in the bottom of the second set up Rays minor leaguer Brett Sullivan for a two-run home run, easily clearing the right field fence.

Although Garcia struggled a bit in his second performance, he performed well his first time out. Last Tuesday, Garcia pitched 1.2 innings without a hit or run, but walked two.

Garcia’s playing in the Dominican Republic this winter to improve his game enough to earn a spot in the 2021 Yankees starting rotation. With the injury plague hitting the Yankees in 2020, Garcia made six major league starts. He pitched to a 3-2 record with a 4.98 ERA, a 1.194 WHIP, and a 4.15 FIP.

Garcia’s greatest success in 2020 came with Erik Kratz catching. In two games together, Garcia had a 3.38 ERA while opponents bat just .220 off him. However, with Kratz retiring, Garcia will have to learn to work with Gary Sanchez. Garcia and Sanchez struggled together in 2020, with Garcia having an ERA of almost 6.00 in games that Sanchez catches.

At just 21-years-old, the ceiling is endless for Deivi Garcia. He may struggle at times, regardless of the level. But he’s showing his potential and work ethic, and eventually, he’ll be a mainstay in the Yankees’ rotation.