Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia took home his first All-Star selection in 2025.
The Kansas City Royals have spent the offseason searching for signs of progress after a disappointing year in the standings that saw them finish third in the American League Central.
While the team as a whole struggled to find consistency, several individual performances offered hope for a quick rebound in 2026. Among them was third baseman Maikel Garcia, who emerged as one of the most productive and dynamic players on the roster and continued to solidify his role as an everyday contributor.
Garcia’s 2025 season represented a significant step forward in his development. He became a fixture in the lineup, providing speed, defense and improved offensive output while rarely coming out of the game.
His ability to impact contests in multiple ways made him one of the clearest positives for Kansas City, and it positioned him as a long-term building block. After taking home his first All-Star selection, Gold Glove Award and a 14th-place finish in AL MVP voting, Garcia earned a five-year, $57.5 million contract extension this winter.
That context made a recent offseason ranking somewhat surprising. In MLB Network’s list of the top 10 third basemen in baseball, Garcia’s name was absent. Despite what many viewed as a breakout year, he failed to crack the top tier at his position, a decision that raised eyebrows among observers who closely followed his growth last season.
The omission stands out given Garcia’s production in 2025. The 25-year-old played in 160 games and hit .286 with a .351 on-base percentage and a .800 OPS. He finished with 16 home runs and 74 RBIs while adding value on the bases with 23 stolen bases. Defensively, he continued to rate as an excellent option at third base, combining range, athleticism and a strong arm.
What makes the ranking particularly disappointing is how Garcia’s all-around impact often goes overlooked. He may not produce elite power numbers compared to some corner infielders, but his consistency, contact skills and baserunning create value that does not always show up in traditional rankings. His versatility and durability also separate him from many peers.
Garcia’s breakout came within the context of a small-market team, which likely limited his national visibility. For the Royals, Garcia remains a central piece regardless of offseason rankings. If he builds on his 2025 performance and Kansas City takes a step forward competitively, broader recognition is likely to follow. Until then, the omission serves as motivation rather than a final judgment on his standing among the league’s best third basemen.