How Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia is building his case for an All-Star nod
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Maikel Garcia leads Royals in hits, batting .318 with a career-high 8 home runs.
- Offseason swing adjustments and rest are boosting his performance in 2025.
- Chasing his first All-Star appearance, Garcia ranks seventh in AL third base voting.
Maikel Garcia is living out his childhood dreams — and making it look easy.
The Kansas City Royals’ third baseman has looked like a new hitter all season, and his growth and development is felt throughout the clubhouse.
Garcia is riding a wave of momentum that could take him all the way to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game next month at Truist Park in Atlanta.
“He’s definitely an All-Star candidate in my mind,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean, I don’t spend any time looking at the positions or the other guys’ stats, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t be an All-Star.”
Garcia has certainly carried the Royals’ offense. During difficult stretches this season, Garcia’s production has remained a constant.
He has played a key role in the Royals’ two straight wins. He’s adding to his offensive stats and is typically among the first to congratulate teammates for their own contributions.
On Wednesday night, Garcia was the main attraction against the Texas Rangers. He went 3-for-4, set a new season high with his eighth homer and drove in four runs for the second time in his career as KC won 6-3.
Garcia is now batting .318, which ranks ninth among qualified MLB hitters.
“He is always hitting the ball hard,” Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic said. “When you hit the ball hard like that, it’s going to go a long way. He’s been huge for us all year.”
Garcia made a major adjustment to his batting stance this past offseason. It came on the heels of a disappointing 2024 campaign. He admitted he was chasing home runs after hitting two in his first three games last season.
Garcia went back to the drawing board and added a toe-tap to his batting stance. He opted against playing playing winter ball, too, focusing instead on the looming 2025 season.
These decisions are paying off.
“He just wanted to prepare for this year,” Royals catcher Freddy Fermin said. “And I think he’s got it. He prepared his body, and mentally. What I see right now from him is that he is growing a lot. He’s really good, and good for him. I hope he gets to the All-Star Game. Like I say, anything is possible.”
Garcia ranked seventh among AL third basemen in the first All-Star balloting update. He garnered 150,631 votes. Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez (968,754) and Boston’s Alex Bregman (397,581) are currently the leading vote-getters at the position.
Kansas City fans are continuing to vote for Garcia and other Royals. At shortstop, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. (519,984) ranked second in the most recent voting behind Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson (562,696).
Phase 1 of fan voting is open until June 26.
Garcia is looking to make his first All-Star team. He leads the Royals in both batting average and total hits (84) and is tied for third in home runs. He also ranks fourth on the team in RBIs.
“He’s kind of got ice in his veins and he is built for those moments,” Bubic said. “Nothing ever gets too big for him.”
The Royals will look to earn their first road sweep since April 29-May 1 in Thursday’s finale against the Rangers at Globe Life Field. Garcia will be at the forefront, trying to help make it happen.
“I’m just playing the game,” Garcia said, “playing the situation and trying to put the ball in play, move the runner and good things happen. …
“I was struggling last year. I think with the adjustments I did in the offseason, I feel great this season.”
