Garcia, the cousin of Alcides Escobar, the Royals’ postseason hero, signed with the Royals during the 2016–17 international signing period. He hopes to continue his cousin’s success in Kansas City over the next few years.
Garcia, a shortstop, debuted in 2021 with a ton of contact and walks between Low-A and High-A this season, much like Escobar did.
He was given a spot on the 40-man roster in the offseason to avoid the Rule 5 Draft thanks to that talent and his defense.
Garcia’s strengths lie in contact rather than power; he hit .291 last year with only four home runs, but he also has the ability to reach base, as evidenced by his .380 on-base percentage at both levels.
His walk rate has increased and his strikeout rate has decreased as he has moved up the system. Additionally, his speed causes chaos when he is on base. He has 83 base stealers in his Minor League career and 35 last year.
Garcia is as reliable a shortstop defensively as the Royals have in their system thanks to a quick first step, an above-average arm, and excellent instincts. At shortstop, the Royals have a lot of options, and Garcia is among them.
Some believe that the biggest obstacle to him becoming a big leaguer is his small frame, which lacks physicality. He does, however, possess a brittle strength, and despite being only 21 years old, he still possesses some projection.
Maikel Garcia Contract
The Kansas City Royals and Maikel Garcia agreed to a one-year, $700,000 deal, with a $700,000 guaranteed bonus.
Maikel Garcia’s Salary
Maikel Garcia earns an annual salary of $700,000 on average. Garcia will earn a base salary of $700,000 in 2022.
Maikel Garcia’s Net Worth
Maikel Garcia has a net worth estimated to be around $1 million