<\/p>\n
The Kansas City Royals were unsuccessful in reaching the postseason for the second straight year in 2025. However, the campaign didn\u2019t come without noteworthy performances from several key players. <\/p>\n
Third baseman Maikel Garcia and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino both broke out, while shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had yet another terrific year. And then there\u2019s veteran catcher Salvador Perez. <\/p>\n
He played in 155 games during 2025, which is the fourth time he\u2019s appeared in at least 140 contests since 2021. While his 0.4 bWAR was much lower than his 2024 total (2.5), Perez slugged 30 home runs with 35 doubles, and 100 RBI. It\u2019s the first time in his 14-year career that he\u2019s reached the 30-30-100 plateau. <\/p>\n
It also puts him in perfect position to break a long-standing Kansas City franchise record, as long as he returns for his 15th season with the club in 2026. <\/p>\n
The veteran backstop finished 2025 with 303 career home runs. He\u2019s now just the second Royal to surpass the 300-homer mark, and he\u2019s within shouting distance of the all time record. <\/p>\n
Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett is currently the Royals\u2019 career home run leader<\/a>. He slugged 317 homers during his 21-year MLB career. After doing some quick napkin math, that leaves Perez just 15 short of breaking Brett\u2019s record next season. <\/p>\n He\u2019s averaged 141 games played and about 25 homers per season since the start of 2022, so it feels like the backstop could have this record before the 2026 regular season is finished. The only thing left to do is for the Royals to officially exercise their club option to keep Perez in KC for another year. <\/p>\n This past season was the conclusion of Perez\u2019s four-year, $82 million extension, but it also included a $13.5 million club option for 2026<\/a>. General manager J.J. Picollo wasted no time in announcing the organization\u2019s intentions with Perez, though.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s safe to say that one way or another, Salvy will be in a Royals uniform in \u201826,\u201d he told reporters on September 30, including\u00a0Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star<\/a>.<\/p>\n If Perez passes Brett next season, he\u2019d have the honor being the Royals\u2019 all-time and single-season home run leader. He hit 48 in 2021, which is tied with Jorge Soler for the franchise record (he slugged 48 in 2019). <\/p>\n So, as the Royals attempt to reload and return to the postseason in 2026, Perez will also have everyone on milestone-watch. <\/p>\n