PHILADELPHIA — The results had not been there for Adolis Garcia in his first series as a Philadelphia Phillie. The process had been, though, he insisted.
Perhaps it’s a parable for a few other veterans that are scuffling to start 2026 in the Phillies clubhouse.
The Phillies’ new right fielder followed one hit in three games against Texas with three consecutive two-hit games against Washington. It’s less a change than a continuation of the same process with better results.
“It feels good,” Garcia said via a translator on Tuesday, after hitting his first homer as a Phillie. “I’ve been working really hard on trying to have good at bats, hitting the ball hard. I’ve been getting hits with it now, so it feels good.”
He has been hitting the ball hard. Two balls in play against the Rangers were over 100 miles per hour, with four over 94.3 mph. He’s struck out five times and only drew his first walk in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s 6-5 win in 10 innings. But he’s been selective at the plate in the way the Phillies wanted.
That was the mission when they signed him in the offseason to replace Nick Castellanos.
Garcia had an awful 2025 for the Rangers, with whom he’d twice been an All-Star. The reason was too much chase: 135 strikeouts in 547 plate appearances over 135 games with only 28 walks. He walked 65 times in 2023 when he belted 39 homers and helped the Rangers win the World Series.
The adjustments so far have stuck.
“He did it all spring training, too,” manager Rob Thomson said. “After the first couple of games, he really locked it in. He’s locked into the strike zone. And he’s using the field. He’s got some big hits for us. He’s playing really well.”
On Wednesday, Garcia singled to lead off the fourth. He singled to put two on in the eighth as the Phillies exerted pressure on the five relievers who combined to get just nine outs in relief of an excellent Cade Cavalli.
And he walked in the ninth, loading the bases in a 5-5 game before Brandon Marsh flew out to left.
“I think that my best version is when I swing at strikes and when I make good swing decisions,” Garcia said. “So if I let the pitchers come to me and throw strikes to me, then I think that’s where I’m at my best.”
Garcia’s strong start is magnified by the scuffling around him.
Bryce Harper started 2-for-23 before a home run in the eighth inning Wednesday. J.T. Realmuto was at .083 before reaching base four times with two hits, including a solo homer in the seventh. Trea Turner (.192) and Kyle Scwharber (.182) both remain in the sluggish category.
But Garcia is helping the team stay above water. He said it wasn’t weird facing his old team in the opener. But he’s settling in just fine with his new environment. He had played just four games at Citizens Bank Park in his nearly 800 in the majors before opening day last Thursday.
“I really like this group of players,” Garcia said. “I really like the stadium and the bleachers, the fans here. I really enjoy all those things. But right now, we’re focusing on winning games, focusing on getting better and I’m focused about having good ABs.”