Salvador Perez, a nine-time All-Star for the Kansas City Royals, is set to enter his age-36 season, bringing with him impressive statistics from the previous year. In 2025, Perez hit 30 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs, showcasing his continued power at the plate.
Defensively, Perez demonstrated his skills by throwing out 43.8% of runners who tested his arm last season, a testament to his experience behind the plate. He has also earned five Gold Gloves throughout his career, highlighting his defensive prowess.
As Perez prepares for the upcoming season, he will likely see more time at first base and designated hitter, a shift from his traditional role as catcher. This adjustment comes as the Royals look to manage his workload while still capitalizing on his offensive contributions.
Meanwhile, the Royals’ future looks bright with Carter Jensen, the franchise’s No. 1 prospect and heir apparent to Perez. Jensen had an impressive 2025 season, slashing .290/.377/.501 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs in 111 games. His performance included a remarkable 20-game stretch in September where he posted a .300 batting average and a 159 wRC+.
Expectations are high for both Perez and Jensen, with observers anticipating that Jensen will make even more strides under Perez’s tutelage. Manager Matt Quatraro, a former catcher himself, has expressed confidence in both players, noting, “There’s a lot about his catchers for manager Matt Quatraro to like.”
Despite his achievements, there are concerns regarding Perez’s framing and pitch-blocking abilities, as he “isn’t, and never will be, a great framer, and he doesn’t block pitches as well as he used to.” However, the Royals have depth in their catching position, with Luca Tresh available to step in if injuries occur.
Last season, the Royals ranked 18th in fWAR among MLB teams, and projections for the upcoming year suggest they will maintain that position. As the team navigates the season, the contributions of both Perez and Jensen will be critical to their success.
Salvador Perez has been stationed on Opening Day only twice since 2013, his first full big league season, which adds an interesting layer to his upcoming performance. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how the Royals will utilize him in this new season.
