After nearly snagging Silver in '24, Garc¨ªa has Gold in mind for '25

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Luis García Jr. was a Silver Slugger Award finalist last season for his breakthrough performance at the plate. This year, the second baseman is striving toward another recognition.

¡°I want to be perfect for my pitcher,¡± Garc¨ªa said. ¡°I want to win a Gold Glove, too.¡±

At 24 years old, Garc¨ªa is entering his sixth Major League season. He doesn¡¯t turn 25 until May 16. But on a young Nationals team, he is the longest-tenured player.

¡°Luis is in a different place; he really is,¡± manager Dave Martinez said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a big jump in his maturity this spring. He¡¯s got a plan moving forward. I think he learned a lot about what he really can be last year, and he¡¯s really taking it upon himself to come into camp and start where he left off.¡±

Garc¨ªa has played 3,111 2/3 innings at second base, where he has accumulated a .977 fielding percentage.

Last season in 122 starts, Garc¨ªa recorded a positive (5) outs above average for the first time in his career -- a jump from -4 in 2023. He was among the top five qualified second basemen in OAA coming in and going to his left. Going to his right, though, he had -1 OAA (and -7 in his career).

¡°We always talk about the first step with him, the agility,¡± Martinez said. ¡°A lot of it comes from pre-pitch, being engaged every pitch. If he can do that every pitch, I think the first step is going to be there, because when he does do it, it is there. He improved so much on going to his left, now it¡¯s about getting that first step and going to his right.¡±

Garc¨ªa ranked in the 89th percentile in range, compared to 13th percentile in arm strength. He also led National League second basemen with 10 errors. Garc¨ªa wants to improve on that to help the Nationals' pitching staff.

¡°When you make an error, maybe the pitcher makes more throws,¡± he said. ¡°When you play not perfect, but close to perfect, and you don¡¯t make errors, it¡¯s easier for the pitchers, so the innings go more quickly. I think that¡¯s good for us.¡±

Garc¨ªa¡¯s quest for a Silver Slugger Award isn¡¯t over, either. He boosted his offensive production last season to a career-high .282 batting average with 25 doubles, 18 home runs, 70 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. He ranked second among NL second basemen in slugging percentage, batting average, RBIs and OPS.

¡°Every ball he¡¯s hitting, he¡¯s hitting the ball hard,¡± Martinez said. ¡°Even in BP, he¡¯s on top of everything. He¡¯s trying to stay in the middle of the field. The ball is coming off his bat really well, and he¡¯s moving really well.¡±

Martinez has observed Garc¨ªa embrace the importance of consistency: His preparation and engagement have stood out in workouts. Martinez also noted that Garc¨ªa is more relaxed and calm this spring in camp. Garc¨ªa agrees.

¡°I want to fight for my position,¡± Garc¨ªa said. ¡°I¡¯m more focused.¡±