ESPN Ranks Royals Star Maikel Garcia Too Low in MLB Top 100

The 26-year-old third baseman was ranked 71st, despite a breakout All-Star and Gold Glove season in 2025.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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When ESPN released its annual MLB Top 100 player rankings, Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia was ranked 71st overall, a ranking many feel undervalues his breakout 2025 season that included his first All-Star selection and Gold Glove award. The ranking comes despite Garcia posting a 128 OPS+ and tying for the league lead in WAR among third basemen.

Why it matters

The national perception of the Royals often overlooks their talented players outside of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Garcia's low ranking on ESPN's list is the latest example of this 'Royals blindness', as the 26-year-old is widely considered to be one of the best third basemen in baseball after his standout 2025 campaign.

The details

In ESPN's write-up on Garcia, analyst Bradford Doolittle acknowledged the third baseman's breakout season but labeled him a 'regression candidate' going forward. However, even if Garcia's offensive numbers dip slightly, his elite defense and baserunning ability should keep him as a highly valuable player. The ranking also placed Garcia behind Royals teammate Cole Ragans (No. 69) and new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (No. 59), despite Garcia outperforming Bregman in 2025.

  • ESPN released its annual MLB Top 100 player rankings on March 5, 2026.

The players

Maikel Garcia

A 26-year-old third baseman for the Kansas City Royals who had a breakout 2025 season, making his first All-Star team and winning a Gold Glove award.

Bobby Witt Jr.

The star shortstop for the Kansas City Royals, who was ranked 3rd overall on ESPN's Top 100 list.

Bradford Doolittle

An ESPN analyst who wrote the blurb on Maikel Garcia in the network's Top 100 rankings.

Alex Bregman

A third baseman who signed with the Chicago Cubs in the offseason after previously playing for the Houston Astros.

Cole Ragans

A Royals pitcher who was ranked 69th on ESPN's Top 100 list, two spots ahead of his teammate Maikel Garcia.

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What they’re saying

“A player who takes as much of a leap as Garcia did last season is invariably a regression candidate. In his case, because his breakout was based on an improvement of measurable skills, he stands a better chance than most to keep his value close to where it was in 2025.”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Maikel Garcia can build on his breakout 2025 season and prove ESPN's ranking of him as the 71st best player in MLB was too low. The Royals will be hoping Garcia can continue to produce at a high level and silence the doubters.

The takeaway

This ranking highlights the national perception issues the small-market Royals often face, with their talented players outside of Bobby Witt Jr. frequently overlooked. Garcia's placement on the list is the latest example, despite his standout 2025 campaign that earned him his first All-Star selection and Gold Glove award.