Who won World Baseball Classic MVP? Royals 3B Maikel Garcia stands at center of Venezuela's championship

Venezuela's journey to becoming the WBC champions was a true team effort.

So many members of the team were crucial to Venezuela's success, from a deep lineup to a shutdown bullpen.

Therefore, there were many candidates for WBC MVP, as no one player stood out above the rest.

In the end, Venezuela's third baseman Maikel Garcia earned MVP honors, as his work as the team's No.

2 hitter was vital to the victories.

Here's why Garcia won MVP.

MORE: Venzuala stuns Team USA to capture first-ever WBC Championship
After a breakout season with the Royals last year, Maikel Garcia was one of Venezuela's top performers in the WBC.

The third baseman came through repeatedly for his team, driving in key runs in each of the last three games.

Then, on Monday night, when Garcia's two-out single in the seventh inning vs.

Italy gave Venezuela its first lead of the game.

MAIKEL GARCIA FOR THE LEAD!

TEAM VENEZUELA IS HYPE 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/IaHDzNwr3a — World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 17, 2026
MAIKEL GARCIA FOR THE LEAD!

TEAM VENEZUELA IS HYPE 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/IaHDzNwr3a
What team does Maikel Garcia play for?

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:
Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News.

A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.