The World Baseball Classic is reaching fever pitch as the final showdown looms on Tuesday. Among the semi-finalists, the Kansas City Royals have a notable presence, with stars like Bobby Witt Jr. dazzling on defense and Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone powering Team Italy. But there's another Royal quietly making waves-Maikel Garcia.
Venezuela pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating the reigning champions, Japan, marking their first WBC loss since 2017. At the heart of Venezuela's magical run is Royals All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia, who's emerged as one of the tournament's hottest hitters.
Garcia might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Venezuela's offense, often overshadowed by the likes of Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio, or his Royals teammate Salvador Perez. However, Garcia has been a crucial part of the lineup, proving his worth after signing a multi-year extension this winter.
His early tournament performance was modest, with a 2-for-10 showing against the Netherlands, Israel, and Nicaragua, including a tough game against Israel with three strikeouts. But Garcia turned things around spectacularly in his last two games against powerhouses Dominican Republic and Japan, going 6-for-9 with a homer, three RBIs, a walk, and two steals. His standout moment came with a 4-for-4 performance against the D.R. and a crucial two-run homer against Japan, setting the stage for Wilyer Abreu's game-changing three-run blast.
Garcia's journey in the WBC reflects his ability to shine despite being in the shadows of more celebrated teammates like Bobby Witt Jr. His breakout 2025 season was no fluke, and his recent WBC heroics further cement his rising status in the baseball world.
Venezuela's quest for global baseball glory continues on Monday against Italy, and Garcia will undoubtedly be a key player to watch as he builds on his momentum.