Jul 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) sides into second base with an RBI double with Chicago White Sox second baseman Carlos Sanchez (5) taking the throw during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Catching and batting seventh – Salvador Perez (age 30)
An All-Star with huge power numbers not only for a catcher, but for any player. The contract that Perez originally signed with the Royals was a baseball bargain and the money make-up call was coming. The deal with Boston was quickly consummated when Perez was content to sign a new and very generous deal.
Perez is in his prime. The position of catcher drains a player physically, but Perez appears to be similar to any number of Molina’s and just presses on.
The game calling is superlative and his tutelage last season of Anderson Espinoza was key to the successful run to the World Series.