Arcía ready for breakout season

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcía’s talent has was on full display in 2017.

In his first full season in the big leagues, the Venezuelan slashed .277/.324/.407 with 15 home runs and 53 RBI.

But as promising as the 2017 season was, Arcía saw a regression in his game in 2018. The 24-year-old slashed .236/.268/.307 with three home runs and 30 RBI.

He knew it wasn’t good enough. So, he changed things up at the end of last season and in the playoffs.

“I started coming in earlier to the park,” Arcía said.

Arcía’s early arrivals to the ballpark paid off. He slashed .333/.353/.606 with three home runs as the Brewers came within one game of reaching the World Series.

“I (watched film) to better recognize pitches and thankfully, that worked in the playoffs,” Arcía said.

Arcía hopes the attention he’s putting to pitches will pay off. And if he needs any inspiration for bouncing back, all he has to do is walk across the Brewers clubhouse in Miller Park and talk to fellow Venezuelan Jesús Aguilar. Aguilar had a breakout season in 2018, hitting career highs in home runs (35) and RBI (108) and making his first All-Star appearance.

“I think he’s taking the necessary steps to reach the next level,” Aguilar said of Arcía. “He’s really focused on improving his skill set and hopefully, God-willing, he can do that this year in 2019.”

The most crucial step that Aguilar thinks Arcía needs to take isn’t mechanical or at the plate – it’s mental.

“The biggest thing is having the confidence that he can reach that next level,” Aguilar said. “He has a lot of talent; he knows that. He has a little more confidence than the last few years, so, God-willing, he can keep working hard and he can reach it (this season).”

Arcía knew some games in his home country could help him, too. He played 19 games with the Caribes de Anzoategui, slashing .333/.405/.458.

“The winter leagues are leagues that help us all as Latinos,” Aguilar said. “I think it’s really helped him. It made him make necessary adjustments in his at-bats that will help him reach that next level as a hitter. I think he did an excellent job (in the Venezuelan winter league) and hopefully he can do that here and be consistent and stays healthy.”

A similar approach to the end of 2018 could help 2019 become a breakout year for the Brewers’ shortstop.

Featured Image: Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport