Height
6'1"
Weight
180 lbs
Age
26
College
N/A
Experience
4 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB+
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 458 | 0.26465365 | 28 | 191 | 0.70535606 | 84 | 447 |
Current Contract
Length
5 years
Total Value
$57.5M
Guaranteed
$34.5M
AAV
$11.5M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Royals' five-year, $11.5M AAV extension for third baseman Maikel Garcia represents a curious bet on upside that earns a C- CVI grade. While Garcia has established himself as an above-average starter with solid defensive instincts and emerging offensive capabilities, paying $57.5M total for a player who hasn't yet cracked 3 WAR feels premature given Kansas City's competitive timeline. The third base market typically rewards proven power production, and Garcia's modest pop raises questions about whether he can justify this salary tier as he enters his prime years. The Royals clearly value his defensive reliability and believe his offensive ceiling remains untapped, but comparable contracts for third basemen suggest this deal pays Garcia closer to his optimistic projection rather than his current production level. For a franchise carefully managing payroll while building around Bobby Witt Jr. and their young core, this extension represents a significant financial commitment to a player who still needs to prove he can consistently contribute 2.5-3 WAR seasons. The contract isn't egregious, but it's the type of deal that looks either prescient or wasteful depending on Garcia's development over the next two seasons.
Fan & Media Sentiment
The baseball world views Maikel Garcia as a promising young third baseman still searching for his breakout moment, reflected in the cautious optimism surrounding his early career trajectory. Garcia's B- sentiment stems from a combination of flashes of brilliance—including his international play success and sporadic highlight-reel defensive plays—tempered by the reality that he hasn't yet forced his way into elite prospect conversations, as evidenced by notable omissions from top-tier rankings and limited mainstream media attention. His modest 2026 coverage suggests the industry sees him as a solid developmental piece rather than a can't-miss star, though the Royals' financial commitment signals genuine organizational belief in his ceiling. The gap between his B- public perception and B actual performance grade indicates fans and media are slightly underrating his contributions, likely due to playing in a smaller market and lacking the explosive offensive numbers that typically drive headlines. Garcia's narrative could shift dramatically with a breakout offensive season or continued defensive excellence at the hot corner, but for now, he occupies that tricky middle ground where talent evaluators see upside while casual observers remain unconvinced.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs CHW | W 2-0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ CLE | L 2-10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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