The longtime Kansas City catcher made an honest admission after delivering a clutch two-run double in Sunday's win over Philadelphia.
Salvador Perez laced a two-run double in the eighth inning on Sunday to help the Kansas City Royals snap a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
It was the swing that Royals fans have come to expect from their franchise catcher over the past 15 years, but Perez was the first to admit that those moments have been few and far between in 2026.
"As you guys know, I've been struggling a little bit at the plate," Perez said after the game. "Not that I can hide it, everybody can see that."
A Tough First Half for Salvy
It was a really honest moment from a player who has built his reputation on being one of the most positive and upbeat figures in any clubhouse.
Perez has been one of the biggest reasons Kansas City has fallen short this season, and his numbers tell the story clearly.
The 36-year-old is hitting just .209 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI, all well below his career averages.
His hard-hit rate has dropped, and the power that made him one of the most feared catchers in the game has not shown up with any kind of consistency.
The struggles have not been limited to just Perez, as the Royals sit at 37-54 and dead last in the American League Central, 11 games behind the first-place White Sox.
Kansas City came into 2026 expecting to compete for a playoff spot after making the postseason in 2024 and nearly getting back in 2025, but nothing has gone according to plan for manager Matt Quatraro's group.
Time to Pass the Torch
While Perez has struggled, rookie catcher Carter Jensen has turned into one of the few bright spots on the roster.
Jensen, who put together a 20-game hitting streak that set a franchise rookie record, is batting .247 with 13 home runs and leads the team with 47 RBI.
His rise has been one of the most encouraging parts of an otherwise frustrating stretch for Kansas City, and it has raised a fair question about the future behind the plate.
Perez is heading towards the end of his career, so the Royals will almost certainly shift into seller mode.
The nine-time All-Star has meant everything to this organization for over a decade, but Jensen has shown that he is ready to take on a bigger role, both at the plate and behind it.
Perez's admission that he has been struggling is not something fans are used to hearing from a player who has always carried himself with steady confidence, and it speaks to just how different this season has felt compared to the rest of his career.
Sunday's double was a welcome sign, but one good swing does not erase what has been a rough first half for one of the most beloved players in Royals history.
