With a breakout season for the Royals last year, Maikel Garcia made his name known around MLB. Now his name is resonating on the world stage.
The 26-year-old infielder was named MVP of the World Baseball Classic after Venezuela defeated the tournament favorite USA with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the final on Tuesday night.
“I always tell my brothers that are in Venezuela that everything can change in one year,” Garcia said, the large silver MVP plate held beside him. “2024 for me was tough. I was struggling all year. I was the worst hitter. Then in 2025 [writers] voted for me for MVP of the American League. That was huge, and that motivated me to work harder.”
2026 World Baseball Classic
Final presented by Capital One
• Champs! Venezuela beats USA in final
• Box score: Venezuela 3, USA 2
• Maikel Garcia named Classic MVP
• '26 Classic All-Tournament Team
• Final bracket, full results
• Complete coverage
After hitting just .231 with a .614 OPS in 2024, last season was a launching pad for the Royals’ third baseman. He hit 16 home runs, his OPS jumped by nearly 200 points and he won a Gold Glove. Along with it, his confidence grew.
“I didn’t believe in my talent until 2025,” Garcia said. “I knew that I could give more, and that's why I'm here in the World Baseball Classic. I never imagined to be an MVP in a World Baseball Classic, but God's plan is perfect. It's my turn today.”
With his cousin Ronald Acuña Jr. behind him all the way – except in the lineup, where Garcia batted second behind Acuña – the third baseman proved crucial during Venezuela’s run to its first WBC championship. Garcia hit .385 in the tournament with a home run and seven RBIs, and drove in the first run of the title game with a sac fly off USA starter Nolan McLean.
He also had a key hit in Venezuela’s decisive three-run rally in the seventh inning of the semifinals against Italy.
“They played great baseball,” Garcia said about Team USA. “God just gave it to us because our country needed this. A lot of Venezuelans [in] Venezuela, they needed this, and we needed this, too.”
Garcia sees the talent that was in the opposing dugout, including USA’s captain Aaron Judge and his Royals teammate Bobby Witt Jr. They may have lost the tournament, but these are the players Garcia aspires to be.
“They improve every year. Last year was great for me, and I want to continue being like that to show that I belong to the league. I want to be like that every year,” Garcia said.
But those are thoughts for the regular season and for now Venezuela is the champion, Garcia helping the team defeat Japan, Italy and the United States in the knockout stage to take home the trophy.
“I don't know what God has for me and for my team, but to me this is No. 1,” Garcia said. “They underestimated Venezuela because we had never won anything, but we are powerful. We never made it to the final, but this mix of young players and veterans, we proved that we have what it takes to show what Venezuela is worldwide.”