Track Record: It's been a slow, steady progression through the Royals system for Garcia, who signed out of Venezuela in 2016 and is a cousin of Ronald and Luisangel AcuC1a. Garcia's prospect stock continued to rise during the 2022 season as he got stronger and developed a better approach at the plate. Those changes helped him move up the organization's depth chart and make his big league debut on July 15. He appeared in nine games and finished the year with Triple-A Omaha. Garcia's plate discipline has consistently improved as he has tackled every level of the full-season minors in 2021 and 2022. While he still needs to add strength, Garcia's 11 home runs in 2022 were more than double his combined amount from the previous four pro seasons.

Scouting Report: Garcia is an instinctual player both at the plate and on the field. He is regarded as a throwback type of hitter who steps open at the plate and uses the entire field. He has very good hand-eye coordination and solid barrel control, with gap-to-gap power that helped him produce 34 doubles between Double-A and Triple-A. His above-average hit tool has jumped a full grade from last year. As impressive as Garcia's development has been at the plate, he's still better known for his defense at shortstop, where he shows quick hands, solid range and an above-average arm.

The Future: Garcia will continue building strength, which observers regard as the difference between him being a good utility player or a starting middle infielder. He may get the chance to earn a bench role out of spring training, but it's more likely he returns to Triple-A. Regardless, he will be on the Royals' 26-man roster at some point in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 50. Fielding: 60. Arm: 55