'No signs, just go': Salvy pulls off rare steal
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SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Salvador Perez didn’t have a huge lead off first base in the bottom of the first inning on Thursday afternoon, but when he took off toward second, there was no stopping him.
After all, he gets all of his basestealing tips from Royals speedster Bobby Witt Jr.
“Junior told me how to do it,” Perez said, grinning. “No looking at Skip, no looking at the signs, just go. Whatever happens is going to happen. That’s what I did today.”
Turns out, Royals manager Matt Quatraro encouraged Perez to take a base when he saw the veteran catcher itching to go for it as Angels lefty Tucker Davidson faced Nick Pratto in the Royals’ 8-4 win at Surprise Stadium.
So, Perez flashed his wheels for his manager, sliding in safely before popping up and pointing at the Royals' dugout with a big smile.
“Yes, he did. And that’s why he won’t do it again,” Quatraro quipped.
A couple of innings later, Perez -- who will leave to play for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in a couple of days -- showed what he’s really capable of when he homered in the fourth inning. The emotions showed after his stolen base (laughing with a big smile) and his home run (just another blast for the longtime slugger) gave away which one he was more excited about.
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The only regular-season game in which Perez has homered and stolen a base was on Sept. 18, 2020. Maybe those bigger bases this year could help him have a few more games like Thursday.
“I don’t have to run that far,” Perez said, eyes widening. “That’s good.”
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Even at 32 years old, Perez is still playing with the same energy as he did a decade ago. Now, he’s surrounded by young talent that looks up to him. Teammates are constantly watching how Perez works, acts and plays.
“A lot of young guys that we have look up to me, and I want to show something back to them,” Perez said. “They want to be like me, I want to show them something good. … I think it’s the kind of person I am. I grew up like that, I have a lot of energy. I’m just a happy guy. I like to enjoy the game, play hard. Have fun.”
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Garcia to get work in center field
With both Drew Waters (left oblique strain) and Diego Hernandez (right shoulder dislocation) sidelined this spring, the Royals are doing everything they can to improve their center-field depth. That includes signing Jackie Bradley Jr. -- who should be in camp on Friday -- to a Minor League deal, as well as identifying players who could learn the position this spring.
Maikel Garcia is one of those players.
The Royals’ No. 3 prospect is lauded for his defense at shortstop, but he took part in center-field drills on Thursday morning and will continue to do so this spring. Garcia hasn’t played center field since he was 11 or 12, he said, but he’s shagged out there during batting practice and expects to pick it up quickly with his speed and instincts.
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“I just want to play in the big leagues,” Garcia said. “I’m ready to learn out there.”
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Garcia is forcing the Royals into a tough roster decision with his production this spring. He’s 6-for-8 in four Cactus League games, coming off a torrid winter-ball season in which he slashed .323/.444/.498 in 53 games. The Royals are committed to Witt at shortstop this season, so Garcia also will get time at third base and now center field as a backup option.
Center field is still Kyle Isbel’s job to lose, but the Royals plan to get Bradley, Garcia, Nate Eaton, Tyler Tolbert, Samad Taylor and Dairon Blanco reps in center this spring.
“I feel better because of the depth, not because we didn’t feel good about who was in camp,” Quatraro said. “But with Drew getting hurt and [Isbel] being the only other true center fielder … I feel better about the depth because you know how it is, one injury and all of a sudden, you’re really scrambling.
Royals rumblings
• Sporting bleached blonde hair for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, MJ Melendez showed he’s ready for the tournament with an opposite-field RBI double off the fence on Thursday in a lefty-on-lefty matchup.
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• Amir Garrett made his spring debut and needed just nine pitches to get through a perfect inning, pounding the zone with his fastball and throwing his breaking ball for strikes.