Maikel still basking in Classic glory

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The only time Maikel Garcia has taken off his Venezuela jersey from the World Baseball Classic, he said, was to sleep. Otherwise, he’s been repping his country from the minute he helped it win gold at the WBC on Tuesday night.

That even included on the backfields of the Royals’ spring complex, where Garcia went through defensive drills and took batting practice, still with Venezuela across his chest (but with a Royals hat on).

“I’m so happy for my country,” Garcia said Thursday, his first full day back with the Royals after winning the WBC championship and being named MVP.

The Royals were truly the buzz of the tournament, and they felt it there as everyone back in Surprise watched closely. Now they’re hoping that the momentum carries over into the 2026 season in Kansas City.

Because as much as Garcia doesn’t want to take the Venezuela jersey off quite yet, he’s ready to focus on the season with the Royals.

“I think everybody who participated in the WBC is going to be good for us,” Garcia said. “We have to show that energy with the Royals. I’m ready with the boys here and with my team.”

The WBC capped a stunning calendar year for Garcia, who began last Spring Training as someone the Royals weren’t sure would be their everyday third baseman following a season in which he struggled offensively.

Since then, he’s added an All-Star appearance, American League Gold Glove Award and WBC championship to his resume. His 5.8 bWAR in 2025 tied José Ramírez for sixth among all AL players. Garcia set several career highs in ’25: Games played (160), hits (170), doubles (39), home runs (16), RBIs (74), on-base percentage (.351), slugging percentage (.449) and OPS (.800).

“Everything can change in one year in baseball,” Garcia said. “It was a tough 2024 year for me, personally, and coming back in 2025, playing around the field, and then everything changed in months.”

At the WBC, Garcia slashed .385/.393/.577 with one homer and seven RBIs. He said Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez often told him he was the best player on the team. That was another reminder of how far he has come in a year. So, too, was hearing his name called as the MVP and celebrating with his cousin, Ronald Acuña Jr., and teammate Salvador Perez.

“I never was supposed to be there,” Garcia said. “A lot of people – they don’t like me, they don’t want me on the team. But I did my job last year in the big leagues, and Omar López took me into the team. I just wanted to help my team and my country to win one because we never won one. It’s so special for me.

“… Sometimes I can’t believe that I have that talent because it was a tough year in 2024. But coming back the next year and playing the way that I played, I started believing in myself right after the All-Star Game.”

The Royals showed their belief in Garcia, too, with a five-year contract extension this offseason as they locked up the left side of their infield for the foreseeable future with Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr.

For Kansas City to get back to the postseason in 2026, they need those two to continue to be the type of dynamic young infielders they’ve established themselves to be.

“Every night, I have a good vantage point to look across the field at the left side of our infield,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “And Salvy’s often in that mix [behind the plate]. Looking at those three guys – that’s really special. You just don't take it for granted. Every time I see those guys make a diving play or do something spectacular, like not everybody gets to see this every night. For Maikel to win [MVP], I’m sure it provides confidence. I’m sure he had to control his emotions in those big moments. Playing for your country is a tremendous amount of pride. I’m really happy for him.”

And now the WBC is over, and Opening Day is just one week away. Garcia will soon swap the Venezuela jersey for a Royals uniform.

But the mindset he had at the tournament will remain.

“Play to win,” Garcia said. “WBC is a tournament, and you have to win. You have one chance [to advance] after the regular round. ‘Play to win’ is going to help everybody here make the playoffs again.”