NEW YORK — On the day he was called up to the majors for the first time, Red Sox outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia was able to share the news with his emotional parents, who cried on the phone when he reached them in Venezuela. Somewhat confusingly, though, Garcia was unable to reach his younger brother, Johanfran, a catching prospect in Boston’s system who’s currently playing at High-A Greenville.
Garcia didn’t think much of it as he made the mad dash from Worcester to New York City in time for Thursday’s game, in which he didn’t play. In a pregame meeting with reporters, he joked that Johanfran “probably” had heard of his call-up.
The younger Garcia had, and just like his older brother, was scrambling with flight plans. The Red Sox decided to excuse Johanfran Garcia for a couple days of games in Greenville and fly him to New York to surprise Jhostynxon.
When the Red Sox returned to their Midtown hotel after a 6-3 win over the Yankees on Thursday night, there was Johanfran, ready to greet Jhostynxon in the lobby.
“When I went downstairs to get my other room key, I saw him downstairs,” said Jhostynxon (through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez). “Imagine how surprised and happy I was. I don’t have anyone else here in the U.S. so for him to be here is very amazing.
“For him to be here, knowing that somebody’s watching me and supporting me is huge.”
The idea to get both Garcias to New York happened organically. Johanfran expressed to farm director Brian Abraham that he’d love to see his brother’s debut and club officials didn’t hesitate to make it happen. The Greenville Drive are playing the Rangers’ High-A affiliate in nearby Spartanburg this week and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is just 22 miles from the field.
“(Abraham) reached out to me,” said Red Sox assistant GM Eddie Romero, who scouted both brothers in Venezuela. “He was like, ‘What do you think about Johanfran coming up?’
“I said, ‘Absolutely. We should. Let’s make it happen.’ How often do you get your brother, in the same organization, to his debut here in New York?
Johanfran watched Thursday’s game, stayed for Jhostynxon’s major league debut Friday and will return to South Carolina on Saturday. The younger Garcia was even on the field for batting practice Friday.
“These are small moments you have to take advantage of,” Romero said. “I know Johanfran is in the middle of a season but what’s a few games when you can come see your brother at Yankee Stadium make his debut?
“It’s definitely worth it. These are magical moments you can’t let pass by.”
Romero, who leads Boston’s international efforts, first signed Jhostynxon back in 2019 for a $350,000 bonus. At that point, Jhostynxon’s recruiting efforts began. Like many older brothers in baseball circles do, Jhostynxon told Romero he had a brother two years younger who was an excellent prospect as well. That turned out to be true and the Red Sox signed Johanfran for $850,000 in 2022.
“When we signed him, he’d always be telling us, ‘My brother can really hit. He’s a big guy, he’s a catcher,’” Romero said. “He was spot-on. We started scouting him fairly soon after we signed Jhostynxon and he was right.”
By debuting Friday, Jhostynxon Garcia became the first-ever major leaguer from the Venezuelan state of Apure. He’s hopeful his little brother will be the second someday soon.
“He’s an amazing talent,” said the outfielder. “His power is off the charts. If he puts his mind to it, he can get very far in this game and I hope for that.”
Johanfran Garcia’s rise has been somewhat delayed due to injury, as he tore two ligaments in his knee in early May of last season after a stellar start with Single-A Salem and missed the rest of the year. He has worked to find his stride in 39 games for Greenville, hitting .240 with seven homers, 22 RBIs and a .723 OPS while catching 251 innings.
The younger Garcia, who SoxProspects ranks as the No. 36 prospect in Boston’s system, will get a chance to continue his development Sunday. For now, there’s a big league debut to watch.
“Johanfran has been doing well. He has been working his tail off,” Romero said. “He’ll be back in the lineup on Sunday.”
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