Maikel Garcia Named 2026 World Baseball Classic MVP as Venezuela Wins Historic Title vs. USA

Maikel Garcia was named MVP of the 2026 World Baseball Classic after helping Venezuela secure a 3-2 victory over the United States in the championship game on Tuesday.

Garcia went 0-for-3 in the title game, but gave Venezuela an early 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

Venezuela clinched its first World Baseball Classic title with the victory.

Garcia recorded 10 hits throughout the tournament, ranking No. 1 among all players.

He amassed one home run and two doubles to go along with seven RBI, compiling a .385/.393/.577 slash line.

Garcia hit a two-run homer that helped Venezuela come back from a 5-2 deficit and defeat Japan, the defending WBC champions, in the quarterfinal round.

He then had a key hit in Venezuela's three-run rally in the seventh inning of the team's 4-2 win over Italy in the semifinals.

Garcia is heading into his fifth season with the Kanas City Royals and expectations are high, especially after the WBC.

He's coming off a breakout 2025 campaign in which he hit .286 with 16 home runs, 23 stolen bases, 39 doubles and 74 RBI in 160 games. Garcia earned his first All-Star nod and received Gold Glove recognition for his efforts.

Now, he can add World Baseball Classic MVP to his growing list of accolades.