Maikel Garcia headlines Kansas City Royals’ biggest snubs for 2025 All-Star Game
The Kansas City Royals will send two players to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game on July 15 in Atlanta.
Superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and starting pitcher Kris Bubic will represent the Royals at Truist Park, home of the Braves. It will be the second All-Star appearance for Witt and the first for the left-handed Bubic.
A few of their Royals teammates were snubbed for All-Star spots. The biggest names: third baseman Maikel Garcia and relief pitcher Carlos Estévez.
Estévez has delivered as the Royals’ closer since arriving in KC this past offseason. He has 24 saves alongside a 2.19 ERA in 36 relief outings this season.
The Royals gave Estévez a two-year contract and there is a chance he’ll make a run at the Royals’ all-time saves record this year. Former Royals closer Greg Holland set the franchise mark with 47 saves in 2013.
Garcia, meanwhile, boasts a .303 batting average — best among the Royals’ starters — with eight home runs, 39 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He has arguably been the Royals’ best hitter this season and has climbed up the batting order, settling in between Witt and Pasquantino.
Both players had considerable merit.
Garcia owns the eighth-best batting average in the majors and is one of just 11 everyday players who are hitting .300 or better this season. He has carried KC’s offense at times this year after slow starts hindered first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and catcher/first baseman/designated hitter Salvador Perez.
Garcia’s numbers are comparable to those put up by All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez, who earned the starting nod for the American League. Entering Sunday’s games, Ramirez was hitting .298 with 14 home runs and 39 RBIs. And his .846 OPS is just 20 points higher than Garcia’s.
There is a chance Garcia could be summoned as an injury replacement for the AL squad. He could be one of the first names selected if a change is needed in the event a starter or reserve is hurt and/or unable to play.
In the fan vote, Garcia hovered around seventh place on the initial ballots.
Estévez is among the best closers in the league. He ranks second in the AL in saves but wasn’t one of the relievers chosen on the player’s ballot, which determined the All-Star reserves.
He was seeking his second All-Star appearance after pitching in the midsummer classic in 2023.
In a scenario similar to the one involving Garcia, Estévez could be called upon if an injury replacement is needed. It would be up to the league to make such a substitution.
Pasquantino also drew some late consideration, but a disappointing month of April hurt his chances. He batted just .177 that month but has since played at an All-Star level and currently leads the Royals with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs.
Since May 1, Pasquantino has batted .313 in 59 games.
This story was originally published July 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM.
