The Royals now have four All-Stars
Just minutes after announcing Carlos Estévez would take the place of Jacob DeGrom on the All-Star Roster, Maikel Garcia has been announced to take the spot of Tampa Bay’s Brandon Lowe, who is out with an injury to his side.
Maikel makes the squad!
Maikel Garcia has been added to the American League All-Star team!
Maikel has been enjoying a career year at the plate with a .305/.363/.464/.827 slash line. He still barely edges out Bobby Witt Jr. as the best hitter on the team by wRC+ with a 128 mark to Bobby’s 127. Garcia has certainly been the most consistent hitter in the Royals’ lineup, having not endured any of the slumps the others have been prone to. He’s already set a career-high mark in home runs and is set to smash his career-high in doubles, both set last year.
With Maikel’s inclusion, the Royals are up to four All-Stars, same as last year when Witt, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Salvador Perez all went. Otherwise, it’s the most they’ve had since 2016, following their World Series appearance and Ned Yost managing the squad.
I honestly didn’t think he would make it after three infielders had been added before him, and with the game approaching so rapidly. So I won’t entirely rule out the Royals getting a fifth in Seth Lugo.