Kansas City Royals star Maikel Garcia shined on the national stage.
He took Venezuela to the 2026 World Baseball Championship game. He drove in one of the biggest runs in the global tournament.
And on Tuesday, Garcia was named MVP of the entire thing.
“I’m proud to be a part of this group and a part of this country,” Garcia said postgame via a translator.
Garcia was dominant throughout his WBC run. He hit .385 in the tournament and posted a .970 OPS (on-base plus slugging). Additionally, Garcia showcased his defensive ability at third base and thrived in key moments.
Garcia produced the go-ahead RBI single against Italy in the WBC semifinals. He added a sacrifice fly against the United States. There was also a mammoth two-run homer against Japan in the quarterfinals.
And with those plays came every emotion. Garcia put Venezuela on his back and carried his team across the finish line for the first time.
It was a feeling he will never forget.
“The next time you guys do a ranking for baseball, Venezuela is number one,” Garcia said.
Fox Sports broadcaster Tom Verducci interviews Most Valuable Player Maikel Garcia #11 of Team Venezuela and his translator following the 3-2 victory against Team United States at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Al Bello Getty Images
Garcia was a breakout star with the Royals in 2025. He became an All-Star for the first time and won a Gold Glove. He was also nominated for a Silver Slugger Award and received American League MVP votes.
The Royals rewarded Garcia with a five-year contract extension. He will remain in Kansas City through the 2030 season.
Now, Garcia will look to build off his WBC momentum. He posted career-highs with 16 home runs and 74 RBIs last season. He logged a 5.8 WAR (wins above replacement) and could exceed those numbers in 2026.
As a kid from La Sabana, Venezuela, Garcia dreamed of playing on the global stage. He was excited to join Team Venezuela and represent his home country.
Garcia made his countrymen proud. He basked in the celebration alongside his family — his cousin is MLB star Ronald Acuña Jr. — and teammates.
“I’m proud of what we did and I’m proud to be representing 30 million Venezuelans back in my country,” Garcia said.
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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.