It is not crazy. In fact, at this point in the 2025 season, it looks like a more than reasonable statement. Maikel Garcíaknown as “El Barrendero”, has turned on the major league diamonds with an offensive and defensive performance that place it as a strong candidate to be the third head of Venezuela in the next World Baseball Classic.
The native of La Sabana, La Guaira state, is living a year of consecration with the real Kansas City, and their numbers reflect.
Maikel García aimed at ownership in the World Baseball Classic 2026
After more than a month of the campaign, Garcia not only leads Venezuelans on average batting with a .315 solid, but has also demonstrated a remarkable consistency: adds 39 hits, 4 home runs, 15 ranges driven, 15 scored, 15 tickets and 20 strikeouts in 124 shifts to bat. His PAHO of .870 and a PAHO+ of 146 place it among the most productive players of his team and, without a doubt, among the most prominent Creoles of the moment.
-The comparison with Eugenio Suárez, usual owner of the hot corner in the Venezuelan team, is inevitable. “Geno”, as he is known, has had an outstanding career, mainly for his power, but in this 2025 he has shown a performance below what was expected: he beats just .202, with his surprising 10 homers and 23 promoted, but an OPS of .761 and a WAR of just 0.3, compared to 1.4 of Garcia.
While Suarez maintains advantage in the department of power, Garcia has improved his slugging and exceeds his compatriot on average, OBP, basic robberies and total offensive production. In addition, his ability to occupy the first shifts in Lineup makes it ideal to establish the offensive rhythm of a national team.
In the absence of more than a year for the World Classic, the door is open so that Maikel García not only is part of the roster, but also assumes ownership in the third base. His youth and the remarkable growth he has had could make him a key piece in the new generation of Venezuelan baseball and the selection in particular.
