Mar 31, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Adolis Garcia (53) hits a home run against the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA -- It's been a topsy-turvy beginning of the season for the Phillies, and has been dissected a little bit too much for a five-game stretch. But that's what makes us Philadelphia.
To a stranger, it may seem a bit much, or odd. For new right fielder Adolis García, he's just riding the wave and looking to be the contributing player he has been for most of his career after signing a one-year, $10 million deal in the offseason to replace Nick Castellanos. The 33-year-old seems to have enough of a laid back demeanor that the circus that is Philadelphia sports may not have that much effect on him.
The hulking Cuban hit his first home run in the red pinstripes on Tuesday, helping the Phillies make pitcher Andrew Painter's debut a successful one. García also laced a single to center and also had a deep fly out. He has three hits in his last seven at-bats as he tries to round into the form that had him average 28.2 home runs, 28.8 doubles and 91.6 RBI over the past five seasons.
Adolis García's first Phillies home run 🔔 pic.twitter.com/a9R8vhjuQQ
There has been some decline over the past couple of years, and García is hoping a new beginning in Philadelphia after six years with the Texas Rangers will be just the remedy he needs.
"It feels really good," he said through an interpreter following Tuesday's 3-2 win. "I've been working really hard on trying to have good at-bats, hitting the ball hard and I've been getting hits with it now, so it feels good. It's a long season that we have ahead so you just have to trust the process and keep working on the process. Focusing on getting better every day and working with purpose and having the faith that the results will come."
No word on his knowledge of the Sixers with those comments, but García is centered on being the lynchpin of a suspect outfield. He is keenly aware that his strikeout numbers over the past five years (172.8 a season) are too high and it seems to be at the front of his thought process.
"I think that my best version is when I swing at strikes and when I make good swing decisions," he said. "Let the pitchers come to me and throw strikes and I think that's when I'm at my best."
He has embraced all that is Philadelphia so far, and appears to have an enjoyment for it.
"As I said before, I really like the group of players," he said. "I like the stadium and the bleachers and the fans here. I really enjoy all those things. Right now we're focusing on winning games, focusing on getting better and I'm focused on having good ABs and focusing on my defense. That's all I can think of right now."
He is sharing the outfield with rookie Justin Crawford, who has certainly looked the part from his centerfield position so far. He has a fan in García.
"I think he has a lot of tools," Garcia said. "I think he's a five-tool player right now. He plays the game in that aggressive way and makes a lot of contact, too. So, I think the type of player he is and the way he goes about his game I think he's got enough tools and style of play to establish himself in the league for years."
