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About

Wilkerman Garcia Shows Heart And Hustle

By Jarah Wright-Pulaski Yankees
August 29, 2016

  The crack of the bat echoes throughout Calfee Park as a sharp ground ball hits the glove of shortstop Wilkerman Garcia. He makes it look easy as he fields it and throws to first for the third out with a big smile on his face. You can tell he loves what he does as he runs back to the dugout.

     The Venezuela native started playing baseball when he was three and a half years old and played with his friends and kids in his neighborhood. He developed his skills as he got older and attracted the attention of major league teams.

     "The Yankees were one of the teams who were scouting me. The other two were Tampa and Texas," Garcia said. "When I was 16, I signed with the Yankees."

     Since signing back in 2014, Garcia has made his way up the minor league ladder with a good attitude and hours of hard work. In addition to playing in the Yankees Latin American Academy, Garcia split the 2015 season between the Dominican Summer League Yankees 1 and the Gulf Coast League Yankees 1 where he compiled a .299 batting average with 19 RBIs. So far, Garcia said he's enjoyed the ride.

     "I like the organization and think it's one of the best," Garcia said. "I haven't experienced any others but I know the Yankees are one of the best organizations in baseball and they treat us well."

     The Gulf Coast League was his first season playing in the United States. The transition to a new country and a new language might be challenging for some but Garcia said it hasn't really affected him.

     "The academy is a lot like the minors and three of the guys I played with at the academy are with the Yankees in Tampa," Garcia said. "And my English is getting better."

     With an easy adjustment to Pulaski this season, Garcia said he's been able to focus all his attention on baseball even if he hasn't had the results he wanted.

     "I haven't had the best season but I've played every day at 100 percent and I've tried my best and I'm still in the learning process," Garcia said. "I feel like I've put in the work to get better."

     And in addition to those hours of hard work, Garcia hopes his passion for the game will shine through and people will be able to see how much he loves what he does.

     "I want to make a good last impression to let the fans know I care about the game and let the Yankees know I care about the game and that I want to have a strong end of the season."