Garlick emerges as OKC’s top slugger
Kyle Garlick, who leads the Oklahoma City Dodgers in home runs, has made a strong impression since being called up to Triple-A.
Kyle Garlick wasn’t sure if he heard it right.
The Tulsa Drillers left fielder went to bed earlier than usual because of an 11 a.m. game the next day. But right before he could fully fall asleep he received a call from the Drillers manager, Scott Hennessey.
“You’ve got an early flight in the morning,” Hennessey said. “You’re going to OKC.”
Garlick had been in the minors for three years, but never worked his way up to Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Dodgers – until now.
“I kind of got a rush of adrenaline and excitement,” Garlick said. “It took me a couple of hours to finally cool down and fall asleep.”
Garlick didn’t have too much rest.
The Dodgers were playing in Memphis the next morning, which meant he had a 4 a.m. flight to catch.
Garlick joined the Dodgers a month into the season. Even though his teammates had a month head start, Garlick leads the Dodgers with nine home runs.
That’s one reason why Garlick was promoted. Every time he steps up to the plate, there’s a chance for an easy run.
“It’s all about having quality at-bats,” Garlick said. “Just getting a good pitch to hit and not missing it.”
Garlick, though, wouldn’t give himself too much credit. He was quick to point out the Oklahoma wind has helped him out on a few home runs. It frequently blows out to left field, Garlick’s favorite spot.
For Travis Taijeron, Garlick’s performance is nothing new. In 2015, Garlick hit 17 home runs to break Taijeron’s single-season home run record at Cal Poly Pomona.
But even though Garlick is one OKC’s best hitters, it didn’t start out that way.
Along with the excitement of being promoted, Garlick admitted that his nerves got to him in the beginning. New players, a new manager, plus the pressure of performing at a higher level can be overwhelming.
In his first seven games as a Dodger, Garlick had 21 atbats, but only two hits.
“It took me a few games to realize it’s the same game,” Garlick said. “After those first few games, after you feel like you belong, it’s the same thing.”
Garlick’s new mindset brought a noticeable difference, one with an increased confidence.
In his next seven games, Garlick hit six home runs and raised his batting average from .095 to .261.
He’s taking a pitch-by-pitch approach, not thinking too far ahead. That’s what got him to this point, and what he tries to remind himself to stay focused.
Now, Garlick is one step closer to the majors and he’s hoping his power hitting can get him there.
“This is what I’ve dreamed about my entire life,” Garlick said. “Just try to do what
I can out on the field and hopefully you get the next call, the one that matters the most.”