While spring training generally serves as an opportunity for more established major leaguers to simply prepare for a long regular season, guys like Jhostynxon Garcia have something more to play for. 

The 23-year-old outfield prospect worked this winter and into spring training on refining his swing, while also placing an emphasis on avoiding the temptation to take cuts at unnecessary pitches. Garcia has been known for his power down in the minor leagues, but his 35% chase rate at Class AAA last season was a cause for some concern. 

In making his first spring start in the Pirates' 7-4 win over the Rays here today at LECOM Park, Garcia had a respectable day, collecting two hits with a second-inning single and a sixth-inning single that drove in the team's first run of the day. 

"I feel comfortable at the plate," Garcia, a former top-100 prospect and the Pirates' sixth-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, said via interpreter and social media manager Julian Herencia. "I thank God I could start off on the right foot.” 

The first of the Pirates' trade acquisitions this offseason, Garcia enters spring training with no guarantees attached to a spot on the major-league roster. With outfielders such as Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Ryan O'Hearn and Jake Mangum in the mix for big-league playing time, Garcia could very well find himself starting the year with Class AAA Indianapolis. But that doesn't mean he's going to quit working on the things that helped him lay off tough pitches out of the zone and make wise swing decisions that ultimately led to ideal results on this day. 

“I’ve been working on that the last two years, every offseason," Garcia said of the work he's put into improving his plate discipline. "I’m going to continue using that work ethic, no matter if I’m in the big leagues or anything else. By the power of God, I’ll keep doing it.”