Saving Salvador
Salvador Perez (KCR): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez became the latest MLB player to make history on Saturday night in Philadelphia.
Perez hit two home runs and collected three RBI in the Royals’ 8-6 loss to the Phillies. The 35-year-old catcher’s offensive performance wasn’t enough to help Kansas City even up the series. However, it was still a notable performance, nonetheless, due to the career milestones Perez hit in this game.
With his two home runs, Perez now has 300 career home runs. He’s the eighth primary catcher to hit that career milestone and the second catcher in MLB history to reach that benchmark with one team (Johnny Bench of the Reds was the other). He also reached 1,000 RBI. Not only is he the eighth primary catcher as well in MLB history to hit that milestone, he’s also the 10th active player to reach 1,000 RBI.
It’s been an interesting season for Perez offensively. His OPS is down to .722, a 64-point drop from a year ago. His average is also down to .235, a 36-point drop from the previous season. However, his 27 home runs match his mark from a year ago, and he has 34 doubles, which is six more than he had in 2024. The hit tool and plate discipline certainly haven’t been as good this season. That said, his power has been better than ever, which is impressive for a player five years away from 40.
The Royals will have an interesting decision to make on Perez this offseason. They have a $13,500 club option they could exercise for 2026. That said, Kansas City will likely look to renegotiate with its captain, knowing that he will play beyond 2026 and in an effort to save some money on payroll in terms of AAV.
It’s expected that an extension will be in Perez’s future, but for how long? Will Perez play for another two years? Or does he believe that he has three or more years left in him, which is a bigger financial commitment for the small-market Royals?
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Troy Johnston (MIA): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.
The Marlins’ 28-year-old rookie played hero on Saturday night against the Tigers. Not only did he hit his second and third career home runs, but his second of the game ended up being a game-winning two-run home run off of Rafael Montero. With All-Star Kyle Stowers out, Johnston has held his own, hitting .265 with a .737 OPS in 89 plate appearances with the Marlins.
Iván Herrera (STL): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.
It was expected to be a pitching battle in Milwaukee, but it ended up being a slugfest as both teams combined for 17 runs. Herrera scored two of those runs and ended up hitting his 16th home run of the year. Unfortunately, the Cardinals fell short, losing 9-8 in extra innings. Despite the Cardinals’ subpar season, Herrera has had a solid season, hitting .285 with an .838 OPS in 395 plate appearances.
Manny Machado (SDP): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.
Machado did what was expected against the Rockies, collecting two hits, three RBI, and a home run in their 11-3 win at Petco Park on Saturday night. Machado has 25 home runs for the year and his hitting .277 with an .802 OPS in 636 plate appearances. With 84 home runs in the past three seasons, the 33-year-old third baseman has been a model of consistency in San Diego.
Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
Schwarber was locked in on Royals pitching on Saturday. Not only did he collect two hits, two RBI, and his 51st home run of the year, but he also drew two walks. It’s been an MVP-caliber season for Schwarber, as he not only is hitting bombs, but is posting an unreal slugging (.566) and OPS (.938) as well. Add that with the fact that he’s the best hitter on the best team in the NL East, and he should be getting a decent number of MVP votes by season’s end.
Tyler Stephenson (CIN): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
With the Reds’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Cincinnati catcher did his best to lead the club to victory at the plate. Against the Athletics, he had two hits, three RBI, and launched his 11th home run of the year. In 310 plate appearances this year, Stephenson has had a bit of a down season, as he is only hitting .224 with a .714 OPS. That said, a strong finish for Stephenson could have a significant impact on the Reds’ postseason hopes.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (NYY): 3-5, HR, R, 3 RBI.
The Yankees took a second straight game from the Red Sox at Fenway, and Chisholm certainly fueled the winning effort. The New York second baseman had three hits, three RBI, and hit the Yankees’ only home run in a 5-3 victory. It’s been quietly a good year for Chisholm, who has 29 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and a .833 OPS in 480 plate appearances.
Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 3-5, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB.
The Dodgers got a much-needed bounce-back 13-7 victory on Saturday after losing on a walkoff on Friday night. Ohtani did “Ohtani Things” in the Dodgers’ win, as he had three hits, three runs scored, and hit a home run. For the season, Ohtani has 49 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a 1.007 OPS in 667 plate appearances this year. Schwarber should give some competition, but it seems like Ohtani is the MVP favorite.
Christian Walker (HOU): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Second-half Walker strikes again. In a 6-2 win over Atlanta, Walker had two hits, scored two runs, collected two RBI, and hit his 23rd home run of the season. After disappointing in the first half, the Astros’ first baseman has looked more like his Arizona self after the All-Star Break. In 218 second-half plate appearances, he has 11 home runs and is hitting .255 with an .806 OPS. That is much better than the 12 home runs, .229 average, and .660 OPS in 377 plate appearances in the first half.
J.P. Crawford (SEA): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, RBI.
The Mariners kept pace with the Astros, beating the Angels 5-3 in Seattle. Crawford did a lot of damage from the nine-hole spot in the batting order, as he collected two hits and an RBI. The Seattle shortstop also hit his 10th home run of the year, which is one more than his total from a season ago. Crawford still isn’t anything special offensively, and his .715 OPS demonstrates that. However, he seems settled in at the bottom of the lineup for a team trying to make the postseason.
