Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia couldn’t have written a better script to begin his 2026 campaign.
After a breakout campaign last season, he rolled back into Royals spring camp as a newly minted champion. Earlier this week, Garcia helped his home country Venezuela win its first World Baseball Classic title.
And he arrived with one more piece of hardware. Garcia earned MVP honors for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Much to the delight of his Royals teammates.
“They told me like 10 minutes before they were going to announce the MVP, so I knew already,” Garcia told reporters in Surprise, Arizona. “I couldn’t believe it when they said my name and people were yelling my name all the at-bats in the game. I can’t believe everything I did in that tournament, and that’s great for me and great for my family. I think everything I learned in the WBC is going to help me all my career in the big leagues.”
The Royals rewarded Garcia with a five-year contract extension this offseason. He posted career highs with 16 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2025. It culminated with an All-Star appearance, Gold Glove and American League MVP votes.
Can Garcia reach the next level? That’s the million-dollar question as he looks to build off his meteoric rise in Kansas City.
“He’s already an All-Star and Gold Glove winner, so that’s a pretty good ceiling right there,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “So I think it’s (learning) the same type of maturity that guys go through. Less time between inconsistent at-bats and those kinds of things. He’s got room to grow with power, probably. It’s hard to say more than he can be an All-Star, right? Just keep doing it year after year.”
Garcia will look to replicate his recent success. Last season, he worked on his batting stance by adding a toe-tap to stay balanced through the strike zone. He began to see results at the plate.
Now, the Royals hope Garcia can be a consistent offensive force. He has all the tools to emerge as a superstar. The 2026 campaign will give him a chance to continue his momentum.
“I always say to my little brother that everything can change in one year in baseball,” Garcia said. “It was a tough 2024 year for me personally. I came back in 2025 and played around the field. … And then, everything changed in months. All-Star game. Gold Glove. Everything goes quick. I just try to (appreciate) everything that’s happened in my life.”
The Royals conclude Cactus League play Saturday. From there, the club will play two exhibition games against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Garcia is set to enter his fifth MLB season. The Royals will pencil him into the opening day lineup at third base against the Atlanta Braves. It’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly after working hard to secure his spot.
“You know, we almost are starting the season in Kansas City, and now I’m focused on the Royals,” Garcia said after his WBC experience.
Garcia will likely get a few more spring training at-bats under his belt before the regular season begins. He forms a dynamic quartet alongside Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino in the starting lineup.
The core is expected to carry the offensive load. If Garcia can continue his elevated rise, the Royals have a good chance to return to the postseason again.
His WBC performance could be a good indicator.
“I would imagine it gives him a lot of confidence,” Quatraro said. “Again, I think the biggest thing is controlling his emotions and understanding the big moments and what he can do in those moments. I think it was phenomenal for him.”
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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.