If you feel Salvador Perez has been a major league mainstay for a long time, that is because he has. The Kansas City Royals catcher will turn 36 in May, but despite his age, he has yet to show signs of decline. In fact, he continues to outproduce some of the most talented younger catchers in the game, remaining a valuable fantasy commodity ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Perez has considerable mileage at this point in his career, having made at least 140 starts in four of his last five seasons. However, the Royals limited his workload behind the plate in 2025; he made only 89 of those starts at catcher, while his other 66 came as the designated hitter or at first base. This gives Perez dual eligibility at first base and catcher for fantasy purposes, but do not be confused. Most of his fantasy value is tied to his production as a catcher rather than at first base.
Perez had an excellent 2025 season, slashing .236/.284/.446 with a .730 OPS in 155 games. He tallied 30 home runs, 100 RBI, 54 runs scored, 35 doubles, and a .210 ISO. Fresh off leading Team Venezuela to a 2026 World Baseball Classic title this month, the veteran looks to carry that momentum into the regular season. Will he be able to repeat those numbers in 2026, or will he start losing the battle against Father Time?
Salvador Perez 2026 Fantasy Baseball Projection
While positional eligibility is a plus for Perez, it matters little if he cannot hit consistently. Fortunately for fantasy managers planning to target Perez in the early stages of drafts, the veteran remains one of the best pure power hitters in the majors. He should continue to retain value as a top-10 catcher, and he could sneak into the top five if he maintains his current trajectory.
It is difficult to find a glaring weakness in Perez’s profile. His 30 home runs in 2025 were his best output since hitting 48 in 2021, and he has recorded at least 100 RBI in three of his last five seasons. Perez will once again hit in the middle of the order, providing significant run-production potential.
By continuing to rotate between catcher, first base, and DH, Perez avoids the physical stress and mileage of catching every game, a common issue for other top-tier backstops. Even if Perez experiences a slight decline in his peripheral numbers, he remains a decidedly above-average option at the position.
His raw power and multi-position eligibility make Perez an ideal target for managers who want a productive backstop but missed out on elite alternatives like Cal Raleigh or William Contreras. With young catcher Carter Jensen expected to see more time this year, Perez’s path to staying fresh as a primary DH and part-time catcher is even clearer for 2026.
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