When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Johan Oviedo to the Boston Red Sox for Jhostynxon Garcia, they acquired the player with perhaps the most memorable nickname in baseball: “The Password.”
Not only does the 23-year-old Venezuelan outfielder have an unorthodox spelling of his first name — pronounced JOES-tin-son — but he has distinctive hair that hangs past the shoulders on his 6-foot, 224-pound frame.
A former top-100 prospect, Garcia flashed prodigious power in the minors with 23 home runs and 66 RBIs in 2024 and 21 homers and 75 RBIs last season. The Red Sox brought his younger brother, Johanfran — a catcher, designated hitter and first baseman at their Double-A Portland affiliate who is nicknamed “The Username” — to the Bronx last Aug. 22 to watch Jhostynxon make his MLB debut at the New York Yankees.
Despite batting .405/.463/.595 with two homers and five RBIs in 17 Grapefruit League games, Garcia didn’t make the Opening Day roster. He batted .205 with three homers, seven RBIs and a .613 OPS in 19 games at Triple-A Indianapolis before a lower back injury forced a stay on the injured list.
On a rehabilitation assignment at Low-A Bradenton, Garcia got his groove back. He hit three homers in six games and posted a 1.218 OPS. Upon returning to Indianapolis, he went viral by going 5 for 5 with three home runs in a 10-8 win at Louisville in his first game back. He was promoted to the Pirates on May 19.
Through translator and Pirates coach Stephen Morales, Garcia spoke with TribLive Pirates beat writer Kevin Gorman about his nickname, the trade and his first impressions of playing in Pittsburgh.
How much have you embraced the nicknames given to you and your brother?
We have no problem with them. We like it. To be honest, it made us famous a little bit.
What did it mean to you that the Red Sox brought your brother to New York for your MLB debut?
It felt really good because I had nobody here in the States family-wise, and them taking him to the big leagues to be there for me was a really special moment.
Was it hard to be separated from your brother when you were traded to the Pirates?
No, it wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t difficult at all. We played together for half a season. I thought when I got traded, it was going to be hard for me to get used to a new organization. But, no, the transition has been really, really smooth.
What was it like to watch Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic?
It was a great feeling, just to see Venezuela win. I wasn’t there, but I felt it like I was there. And because of the situation that’s going on at the moment, it was really good for us and the team to win that for our country.
After you had a strong spring training, how hard was it not to make the Opening Day roster and be sent to Indianapolis?
I kept doing the same thing I was doing in spring training workouts-wise to put myself in a good spot to be here right now.
You struggled early at Indianapolis. How unusual was it to find your swing on a rehabilitation assignment while you were on the IL?
It was tough. At the beginning, I couldn’t find myself swing-wise, but it surprised me as well that it came from the IL. I found my rhythm really quick, and I feel really good right now.
What was it like to go 5 for 5 with three homers in your first game back at Indy?
I never thought that was going to happen, a day like that — going 5 for 5 with three home runs — but it happens, and here we are.
What was your reaction when you hit the third homer?
I realized what I did offensively when I got to the bench and sat down. I was like, “Wait a minute. That can’t happen.” It’s not likely to have a three-home run game. It’s hard enough to have one game with a home run. That’s when it hit me, when I was on the bench, that I’d hit three.
How did it feel to have a game like that and then get the promotion to the Pirates?
That call felt good. I’d say the back injury gave me the break to make my adjustments through tough times. It happened at the perfect time.
What was the biggest adjustment you made?
It helped having that time off to look at videos from early in the season, to get a look at the stuff I was doing wrong. I got some tips on it and worked on it to get better.
You made an immediate impact by getting a hit in your Pirates debut. How much are you looking forward to your first homer?
I’m not really thinking about home runs. I’m just trying to put the ball in play and help the team win. That’s true. Also, I want to make sure I do my part in helping the team win.
What was your first impression of Pittsburgh and PNC Park?
I haven’t had the chance to go out and visit the city but, as of right now, I like the view of the city. It’s definitely a beautiful ballpark. The backdrop is unbelievable. When you hit, you see that backdrop. It’s so pretty. Of all the ballparks I’ve played in, this is by far the most beautiful.
What do you want Pirates fans to think about you?
Actually, I just want to be remembered as a guy that loves baseball and for the way I play the game.