Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not often that the Kansas City Royals get two players in one All-Star game. But it’s going to happen this year with the selection of catcher Salvador Perez and outfielder Alex Gordon.
It’s Perez’s first All-Star game as well as Gordon’s. But it’s likely not to be their last. They have both shown how talented they are.
Perez was upbeat after his team’s 4-3 win over the Oakland Athletics Saturday. He didn’t get a hit, but then he got the news he was going to the All-Star game.
It’s only his second season in the MLB. But as soon as Perez came up to the big leagues, many had predicted he’d eventually be an All-Star, but they probably didn’t imagine it would be this soon. But he’ll take it.
This season, Perez is hitting .302 with four home runs, five doubles and 36 RBI in 71 games. His defensive skills have been widely praised. He’s considered to have a strong arm and blocks the ball well. He’s done a solid job in calling games. From a defensive standpoint, there’s not more a catcher can do. Perez has given the Royals the type of talent as a catcher that they have not enjoyed in a long time. In fact, he’s the first Kansas City catcher going to an All-Star game since Darrel Porter had the honor in 1980.
Perez is a player the Royals are banking their future on and his selection to the All-Star game shows the amazing progress he’s made in the sport in such a short time.
