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Kansas City Royals captain Salvador Perez is not shy about his confidence in teammate Maikel Garcia, and he just put the baseball world on notice ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
When asked about playing alongside Garcia with Team Venezuela, Perez kept it simple and genuine.
"I'm super excited for him. He's gonna be ready," Perez said. It is Garcia's first shot in the WBC, and having a veteran like Perez in his corner should go a long way.
This is not just a feel-good story about a young player getting a chance.
Garcia truly earned his way onto this roster after a breakout 2025 season that turned heads across the league.
The 25-year-old third baseman hit .286 with 170 hits, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 23 stolen bases and an .800 OPS across 160 games for the Royals.
He also won his first Gold Glove at third base and made his first All-Star team, which led to the Royals locking him up on a five-year, $57.5 million extension this offseason.
Garcia went from posting a .613 OPS in 2024 to becoming one of the best all-around players in the American League, and that kind of growth does not happen by accident.
He improved his walk rate, cut down on strikeouts and started hitting the ball harder and with more lift.
He posted a 5.8 WAR according to Baseball Reference, which was the best mark on the Royals and firmly put him among the top third basemen in the game.
Perez's words carry extra weight because of who he is and what he has done.
The nine-time All-Star and 2015 World Series MVP will serve as captain of Team Venezuela, and this will be his fourth WBC appearance.
He was incredible in the 2023 tournament, slashing .429/.467/.929 with a home run and six RBI while earning a spot on the All-WBC team.
Coming off a 2025 season where he hit .236 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI, Perez showed he still has plenty of pop in his bat at age 35.
He is poised for another strong season in 2026, and he and Garcia have built a real connection in the Royals clubhouse that now carries over to the international stage.
Team Venezuela is shaping up to be one of the more talented rosters in the entire tournament.
Alongside Perez and Garcia, the lineup features Ronald Acuna Jr., Jackson Chourio, Wilyer Abreu, Andres Gimenez and Eugenio Suarez, while the pitching staff is expected to be anchored by Pablo Lopez and Ranger Suarez.
Venezuela went 4-0 in pool play during the 2023 WBC before falling to the United States in a wild 9-7 quarterfinal that came down to Trea Turner's grand slam.
Venezuela opens Pool D play on March 6 against the Netherlands at loanDepot park in Miami, and the expectations are high.
With Perez guiding the way and Garcia ready to prove he belongs on one of baseball's biggest stages, this Royals duo could be a key part of Venezuela's push for its first WBC title.
For a Royals team that went 82-80 in 2025 and just missed the playoffs, the WBC gives both players a chance to build momentum heading into a 2026 season where Kansas City has its sights set on getting back to October.
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When asked about playing alongside Garcia with Team Venezuela, Perez kept it simple and genuine.
"I'm super excited for him. He's gonna be ready," Perez said. It is Garcia's first shot in the WBC, and having a veteran like Perez in his corner should go a long way.
Garcia Earned His Spot
This is not just a feel-good story about a young player getting a chance.
Garcia truly earned his way onto this roster after a breakout 2025 season that turned heads across the league.
The 25-year-old third baseman hit .286 with 170 hits, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 23 stolen bases and an .800 OPS across 160 games for the Royals.
He also won his first Gold Glove at third base and made his first All-Star team, which led to the Royals locking him up on a five-year, $57.5 million extension this offseason.
Garcia went from posting a .613 OPS in 2024 to becoming one of the best all-around players in the American League, and that kind of growth does not happen by accident.
He improved his walk rate, cut down on strikeouts and started hitting the ball harder and with more lift.
He posted a 5.8 WAR according to Baseball Reference, which was the best mark on the Royals and firmly put him among the top third basemen in the game.
Perez Brings the Leadership
Perez's words carry extra weight because of who he is and what he has done.
The nine-time All-Star and 2015 World Series MVP will serve as captain of Team Venezuela, and this will be his fourth WBC appearance.
He was incredible in the 2023 tournament, slashing .429/.467/.929 with a home run and six RBI while earning a spot on the All-WBC team.
Coming off a 2025 season where he hit .236 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI, Perez showed he still has plenty of pop in his bat at age 35.
He is poised for another strong season in 2026, and he and Garcia have built a real connection in the Royals clubhouse that now carries over to the international stage.
Venezuela Looks Dangerous
Team Venezuela is shaping up to be one of the more talented rosters in the entire tournament.
Alongside Perez and Garcia, the lineup features Ronald Acuna Jr., Jackson Chourio, Wilyer Abreu, Andres Gimenez and Eugenio Suarez, while the pitching staff is expected to be anchored by Pablo Lopez and Ranger Suarez.
Venezuela went 4-0 in pool play during the 2023 WBC before falling to the United States in a wild 9-7 quarterfinal that came down to Trea Turner's grand slam.
Venezuela opens Pool D play on March 6 against the Netherlands at loanDepot park in Miami, and the expectations are high.
With Perez guiding the way and Garcia ready to prove he belongs on one of baseball's biggest stages, this Royals duo could be a key part of Venezuela's push for its first WBC title.
For a Royals team that went 82-80 in 2025 and just missed the playoffs, the WBC gives both players a chance to build momentum heading into a 2026 season where Kansas City has its sights set on getting back to October.
Continue reading...
