MLB 21st century face of the franchise — Kansas City Royals: Salvador Perez
The Royals’ 2015 World Series winning team featured three face-worthy veterans.
Eric Hosmer hit 127 home runs over seven seasons with the Royals, and in 2017 peaked his batting average at .317.
Alex Gordon spent his entire 14-season career with the Royals, making three All-Star teams and winning eight Gold Gloves.
But Hosmer took the money and ran to San Diego, and Gordon has retired. That leaves the third franchise fixture, catcher Sal Perez, to build on his legacy as the living, breathing identity of the team.
Entering his age 33 season in 2023, Salvador Perez has plenty of time to do that. He’s already well on his way, having made seven of the last eight American League All-Star teams.
A five-time Gold Glove catcher, Perez had his best offensive season in 2021. He hit 48 home runs with 121 RBIs
He’s also been rated consistently positive in the defensive metrics, and is viewed as one of the best handlers of a pitching staff in the American League.
In the 2015 World Series against the Mets, Perez batted .364.
Finally and persuasively, as the last remaining link of significance to those 2014 and 2015 champions, Perez is beloved in his home city.
In the wings: Bobby Witt Jr., the overall No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft, hit the majors in 2022. He batted .254 with 20 home runs and 30 steals, and is poised for better things in 2023.