Ana Sánchez | @ sanchez14_ana
Salvador Pérez, has had a magnificent campaign from start to finish, surpassing personal records and setting new records in his career and in the MLB. In addition, his stint in the all-star game led to an impressive second half of the season that ranks him among the favorites for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
In the first half of the season, ‘Salvy’ was the figure of his team by leaving the following statistics: 96 hits in 349 at-bats to set an average of .275, unloading 21 homers, driving in 53 lines, scoring 41 runs to accumulate a WAR of 2.4
After unleashing his strength in the first part of the campaign, he has become among the first home runners in the entire circuit, and it is that from the beginning he has been key with his home runs for the team.
The Carabobeño has been consistent with both the wood and the defense throughout the season.
The one born in Valencia, currently has the best percentage of retired runners in attempted robbery. Salvy, who owns five gold gloves in his career, also has a great chance of landing his sixth defensive award, considering that his fielding percentage is 995%, that is, almost perfect.
During this campaign, ‘El Niño’ reached two important marks for him, the 1000 hits and the 1000 appearances at the plate, he also became the thirteenth member of the franchise to reach a thousand unknowns.
Season break. Although there is a break due to the week of stars for Pérez, it was not like that. Well, the Venezuelan attended his seventh all-star game and for the first time the Derby home run, where he had a great performance despite being eliminated in the first round. The Valencian was the only Venezuelan on the All Star starting roster.
Unfortunately, in the all-star game, he also did not receive 2 strikeouts in his 2 at-bats, the second of them against his compatriot German Márquez. This confrontation was the first that occurred in the history of the all-star games between a Venezuelan pitcher and batter.
Second half of the campaign. The 31-year-old from Carabobo made history in the second part of the season. Since August 1, he has had 22 home runs, and he is the third Venezuelan with 10 or more home runs in consecutive months.
Salvador was the leader in RBIs in the entire MLB, only eight receivers have been champions in that department including him.
‘Salvy’ tied the franchise record for home runs with 48 and fell one short of tying the Venezuelan with the most home runs in a season.
Pérez, made adjustments to his mechanics in the offseason and gave him great results during
this whole campaign.
What Salvador did this season is worthy of admiration, being the key piece of the Royals and in addition to surpassing his personal marks.
Figures
200 career home runs in MLB
1st receiver with more than 45 homers in at least 75% of the games in that position
7 participations in All-Star Games
.