Call to the pen
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Kansas City Royals: Thoughts on every player on the 40-man roster

By Eric Treuden

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with Whit Merrifield #15 after hitting a two run home run off Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning during game one of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on September 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with Whit Merrifield #15 after hitting a two run home run off Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning during game one of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on September 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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Sep 29, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) celebrates after tying the franchise single season home run record during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) celebrates after tying the franchise single season home run record during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Catchers (4):

Cam Gallagher

2021 stats: 124 PA, 48 G, 1 HR, .250/.298/.330, 71 wRC+, 0.5 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 96 PA, 24 G, .248/.306/.363, 83 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR

The Cam Gallagher era in Kansas City may be nearing an end with the impending promotion of MJ Melendez. Gallagher is a highly-regarded defensive catcher but does not offer much with the bat. His role will continue to be a rarely-used backup catcher to Salvador Perez.

MJ Melendez

2021 stats (in AA/AAA): 531 PA, 123 G, 41 HR, .288/.386/.625, 162 wRC+

2022 FGDC projections: 119 PA, 29 G, 6 HR, .250/.319/.468, 111 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR

It is next to impossible to not be excited for the emergence of MJ Melendez at the Major League level. Not only did he put up an otherworldly performance in the minor leagues last year on offense, but he shined on defense as well, throwing out 31 percent of would-be base-stealers. He is most definitely the catcher of the future for the Royals and should get his first Major League look in 2022.

Salvador Perez

2021 stats: 665 PA, 161 G, 48 HR, .273/.316/.544, 127 wRC+, 3.4 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 601 PA, 149 G, 36 HR, .260/.301/.499, 111 wRC+, 2.7 fWAR

At 31 years of age, Salvador Perez defied the odds and had a career year in 2021 after he appeared to be in a rapid decline. Perez posted career-highs in almost every single offensive category including, most notably, games played. He only missed one game all season, finally overcoming the injury bug and hitting 48 home runs along the way.

Sebastian Rivero

2021 stats: 44 PA, 17 G, 0 HR, .175/.250/.225, 33 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 13 PA, 3 G, 0 HR, .221/.273/.333, 63 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR

Sebastian Rivero, 23, saw his first action in the big leagues last season, posting poor results. On offense, Rivero is a poor hitter but on the defensive side of things, he has looked great throughout his minor league career. In 2019, Rivero threw out a whopping 41 percent of attempted base stealers. He is fourth on the Royals’ overall depth chart at catcher and does not appear to have any sort of solid role lined up in the team’s future.

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