Kansas City Royals: Five players to watch vs New York Yankees

May 13, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielders Jorge Bonifacio (38) and Lorenzo Cain (6) and Jorge Soler (12) celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 6

Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera (9) is congratulated by catcher Salvador Perez (13) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

SALVADOR PEREZ

I haven’t included Salvador Perez on my five players list for awhile, but he’s back for this series against the Yankees!

Perez sat out Sunday’s game entirely (he didn’t even get slotted in as the designated hitter) and he’ll now be fully rested to take on those damn Yankees. He’s been producing well at the plate, slashing .283/.326/.504 in 34 games and 127 at bats.

Perez has crushed seven home runs and plated 21 RBI so far this season and is one of the best hitters in the Royals lineup. Even with a reliable backup like Drew Butera (who is leading the team in batting average, but he does play less often, so there’s that), Perez has merited that he’s the best catcher in the American League and maybe even all of MLB.

No matter what happens down the stretch this season, Salvador Perez isn’t going anywhere. He’ll hopefully be a career Royal and he definitely deserves to be just that after the way he’s played during his young career.

Home/Kansas City Royals