Venezuela's Garcia named WBC MVP, headlines All-WBC Team

Venezuela third baseman Maikel Garcia was named the 2026 World Baseball Classic Most Valuable Player after helping his team to a 3-2 win in Tuesday's final over the U.S.

Garcia hit .385/.393/.577 across the tournament, posting a team-high 10 hits along with one homer, seven RBIs, and three stolen bases while striking out just three times in 26 at-bats. He led the entire WBC in hits and recorded the game-winning RBI single in Venezuela's comeback semifinal win over Italy. Garcia also homered in his country's quarterfinal victory over Japan and had an RBI in the final.

The 26-year-old, who hails from the village of La Sabana in the Venezuelan state of Vargas, joins the Dominican Republic's Robinson Canó (2013) as the only true position players to win WBC MVP. Starting pitchers won the award in three of the five previous editions, with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani taking home the honor three years ago.

Garcia made his first All-Star team with the Kansas City Royals in 2025. The Royals signed him to a five-year, $57.5-million extension over the winter.

As the MVP, Garcia also headlined the All-WBC Team as the third baseman. He was one of three Venezuelans named to the squad, while Team USA had the most selections with four. Ohtani, meanwhile, joined Daisuke Matsuzaka, Yadier Molina, and Javier Báez as just the fourth player to be named to multiple All-WBC teams.