Rachel Garcia lit up Kansas City at Home Run Derby X, crushing 27 home runs, tallying 51 points, and earning the MVP Award as she helped the Blue Jays roster edge the Mets in the finals. That victory secured her spot in the upcoming Salt Lake City Finals, another stage for one of the most respected players in the game.
But this MVP moment is the product of months of work, careful preparation, and a season where she redefined her own durability.
The Offseason Shift
When we sat down with Rachel last week, she told us this season felt different from the very beginning.
“The offseason part for me was a lot different training-wise… I felt stronger. I felt like I could last a lot longer pitching-wise in a game. I just felt overall a lot stronger.”
She focused on building strength and durability, tailoring her workouts to support both velocity and recovery. The work paid off. Strikeouts climbed, complete games became routine, and her velocity topped 75 MPH multiple times this year.
“It was the strength piece — shoulder health, core work, and durability. That’s what helped me throw 75 and do it multiple times.”
The difference from last year was striking. After pushing through an injury then, she entered this season with a fresh body and a stronger foundation.
Why Footwear Matters in Softball
Garcia also connected her performance to what was under her feet. Softball demands explosiveness — every pitch begins with force through the ground, and stability directly impacts control, endurance, and recovery.
“After putting them on, you don’t even realize your shoes are on. The stability piece — I noticed a huge difference from my SQAIRZ compared to the Nikes I wore last year.”
She trained all offseason in SQAIRZ GFP™ Turf cleats, then transitioned seamlessly into the GFP™ Metal cleats once games began. That consistency allowed her to build mechanics without adjustment.
“Because I trained in them, I was so used to the shoe just being on my foot. It can play a huge role in performance.”
The payoff showed up late in games. “I wasn’t as sore after the games. Last year I’d feel it in my legs or back, but this year I didn’t feel overly exhausted.”
In a sport played on turf, dirt, or a mix of both, footwear stability becomes even more important. Garcia spoke about bouncing between surfaces — turf one week, dirt the next — and how having shoes that supported her through those transitions made a difference in recovery and consistency.
Coaching the Next Generation
Even as her own career soars, Garcia is investing in the future of the sport. This year she is coaching USA Softball’s U18 team, guiding high school players as they face international competition.
“Playing internationally and then coaching on the other side of the white lines was a fun experience. I hope it inspires those girls to keep playing past high school, keep playing past college.”
She describes her coaching style as laid-back but focused, emphasizing efficiency: get the work done, get better, then move forward. For Garcia, it’s about giving young athletes the foundation to succeed and the belief that their sport matters.
What’s Next
Rachel Garcia’s 2025 has already been a season to remember — more complete games, record velocity, recognition on national stages, and now an MVP crown in Kansas City. The road continues in Salt Lake City, where she’ll compete in the HRDX Finals with the same stability, power, and poise that have made her a model of what’s possible in the game.
And beyond the numbers, she’s helping write the future of softball — one pitch, one game, and one inspired player at a time.