Career Timeline of Salvador Perez: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Salvador Perez built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Salvador Perez, nicknamed "El Niño" and "Salvy", is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball catcher and first baseman for the Kansas City Royals. A nine-time MLB All-Star, he has also earned five Gold Glove Awards, five Silver Slugger Awards, and three All-MLB selections. Perez received the World Series Most Valuable Player Award in 2015 when the Royals won the World Series. He was also awarded the Roberto Clemente Award and named the Royals' team captain in 2023. He has played his entire MLB career with the Kansas City Royals.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

June 2007: Minor League Career Begins

In June 2007, Salvador Perez's minor league career commenced with the Arizona Complex League Royals after signing with the Royals for $65,000 at 16 years old.

2008: Played for Burlington Bees

In 2008, Salvador Perez played for the Burlington Bees in the minor leagues.

2009: Played for Idaho Falls Chukars

In 2009, Salvador Perez played for the Idaho Falls Chukars in the minor leagues.

2010: Promoted to Wilmington Blue Rocks

In 2010, Salvador Perez was promoted to the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks and also played for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League.

August 10, 2011: MLB Debut

On August 10, 2011, Salvador Perez was called up to the majors and debuted against the Tampa Bay Rays, recording his first MLB RBI in the 4th inning and his first hit in the 7th inning. He also picked off two baserunners and caught five popups.

2011: Promoted to Northwest Arkansas Naturals

In 2011, Salvador Perez was promoted to the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, and later played 11 games for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers in July and August.

2012: Earned $750,000

In 2012, Salvador Perez earned $750,000 as part of his five-year contract extension.

2013: Earned $1 million

In 2013, Salvador Perez earned $1 million as part of his five-year contract extension.

2013: Participated in World Baseball Classic

In 2013, Salvador Perez represented Venezuela and participated in the World Baseball Classic.

2014: Earned $1.5 million

In 2014, Salvador Perez earned $1.5 million as part of his five-year contract extension.

2014: Home Run Against Madison Bumgarner

In Game 1 of the 2014 World Series against the San Francisco Giants, Salvador Perez hit a home run off Madison Bumgarner, representing the only run Bumgarner surrendered in five World Series appearances covering 36 innings. He was the final out of the series.

2014: Wild Card Game Winning Hit

In the 2014 American League Wild Card Game, Salvador Perez singled down the left field line in the bottom of the 12th inning, driving in the winning run as the Royals beat the Oakland Athletics 9–8.

2015: World Series Win and MVP Award

In 2015, Salvador Perez batted .364 in the World Series, which the Royals won in five games. He was unanimously named the World Series Most Valuable Player, being the first catcher to win the award since 1992 and the second Venezuelan to win MVP since 2010.

2015: Earned $1.75 million

In 2015, Salvador Perez earned $1.75 million as part of his five-year contract extension.

2015: All-Star Game Selection and Gold Glove Award

In 2015, Salvador Perez was voted to start in the 2015 All-Star Game, his third All-Star appearance. In the regular season, he played in 142 games while batting .260/.280/.426 with 21 home runs and 71 runs batted in. He also won his third consecutive Gold Glove Award.

2015: Royals win the 2015 World Series

In 2015, the Kansas City Royals won the World Series and Salvador Perez received the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

2016: Earned $2 million

In 2016, Salvador Perez earned $2 million as part of his five-year contract extension.

2016: All-Star Game, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove

In 2016, Salvador Perez was named to his fifth consecutive All-Star Game and finished the season with a .247/.288/.438 batting average, 22 home runs, and 64 RBIs, winning his first career Silver Slugger award and his fourth consecutive Gold Glove award.

2017: Option for $3.75 million

In 2017, Salvador Perez had an option for $3.75 million as part of his five-year contract extension.

2017: Participated in World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Salvador Perez represented Venezuela and participated in the World Baseball Classic.

2017: First Career Grand Slam

On June 21, 2017, Salvador Perez hit his first career grand slam, helping the Royals to a 6-4 win against the Boston Red Sox. He was later placed on the 10-day disabled list due to an intercostal strain. Overall in 2017, he played 139 games, batting .268/.297/.495 with 27 home runs and 80 RBI.

2018: 2018 Season Stats and Awards

In 2018, Salvador Perez finished the season batting .235/.274/.439 with 27 home runs and 80 RBIs. He also won his fifth Gold Glove and second Silver Slugger award.

2018: Option for $5 million

In 2018, Salvador Perez had an option for $5 million as part of his five-year contract extension.

2018: All-Star Selection and Grand Slam

In 2018, Salvador Perez, batting .213 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs, was named to the MLB All-Star Game. On September 14, he hit his second grand slam of the season against the Minnesota Twins, breaking a 4–4 tie.

2019: Contract Team Control Through 2019

February 27, Salvador Perez signed a five-year, $7 million extension that included three club options and placed him under team control through 2019.

2020: 2020 Season and Silver Slugger Award

During the coronavirus pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Salvador Perez played in 37 of 60 games. On August 21, 2020, he was placed on the 10-day injured list after experiencing lingering eye problems but was reinstated on September 11. He finished the season batting .333/.353/.633 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, winning his third Silver Slugger award.

2021: Walk-Off Single and Home Run Achievements

In 2021, Salvador Perez achieved several milestones: on April 21, he hit a walk-off single against the Tampa Bay Rays; on August 10, the 10th anniversary of his Major League debut, he hit two home runs against the New York Yankees, reaching a new career high of 29 home runs in a season; on August 26 and 27, he hit grand slams on two consecutive nights against the Seattle Mariners; and on August 29, he broke Carlton Fisk's 1985 record for the most home runs hit in a season by an American League player who was a primary catcher.

2021: Home Run Totals and Silver Slugger Award

In 2021, Salvador Perez finished the season with a .273/.316/.544 batting average, 48 home runs (tied for the most in MLB), and a league-leading 121 RBIs, earning his fourth Silver Slugger award. He also had a career-high 170 strikeouts.

2021: Contract Extension Through 2021

On March 1, Salvador Perez signed a five-year contract extension to remain with the team through the 2021 season.

2022: Earned $18 Million

In 2022, Salvador Perez earned $18 million as part of his four-year contract extension.

2023: Earned $20 Million

In 2023, Salvador Perez earned $20 million as part of his four-year contract extension.

2023: Participated in World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Salvador Perez represented Venezuela and participated in the World Baseball Classic.

2023: Named to All-WBC Team

In 2023, Salvador Perez slashed .429/.467/.929 with a home run, four doubles, and six RBIs en route to being named to the All-WBC team at the end of the tournament.

2023: Shift to First Base

In 2023, Salvador Perez started spending time away from the catcher position in favor of playing first base due to knee problems.

2024: Earned $20 Million

In 2024, Salvador Perez earned $20 million as part of his four-year contract extension.

November 4, 2025: Contract Extension Through 2027

On November 4, 2025, Salvador Perez agreed to a two-year, $25 million contract extension with the Royals through the 2027 season. The first year of the contract replaced a club option in Perez's previous contract.

2025: Contract Through 2025

On March 21, 2021, Salvador Perez agreed to a four-year, $82 million contract extension with the Royals that would keep him in Kansas City through the 2025 season.

2026: Captained Venezuela to WBC Championship

At the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Salvador Perez captained the Venezuela team which won its first WBC championship.

2026: Participated in World Baseball Classic

In 2026, Salvador Perez represented Venezuela and participated in the World Baseball Classic.

2026: Contract Included Fifth-Year Club Option for 2026

On March 21, 2021, Salvador Perez agreed to a four-year, $82 million contract extension with the Royals that included a $13.5 million fifth-year club option for the 2026 season or a $2 million buyout.