KANSAS CITY -- When Royals rookie catcher Meibrys Viloria got the call that he was being promoted to the big leagues Thursday, he had one problem: He couldn't convince his family he was telling the truth.
"At first they actually didn't believe me," Viloria said through Royals interpreter Ian Kraft, "but I just insisted that it was actually happening and it was a true blessing from God that I get to come up and be here."
One can understand the surprise. It's not often a player makes the jump from Class A to the Major Leagues. In fact, those around the Royals can't remember it happening in recent memory. The Royals had a few Class A-to-the-Majors jumpers in the 1990s, including Royals Hall of Famer Mike Sweeney.
But Viloria, 21, is here because Andrew Butera was traded on Friday and Salvador Perez is nursing a sprained left thumb that will keep him out for several more days. Viloria and Cam Gallagher, who is starting in place of Perez, are the only catchers remaining on the 40-man roster.
Viloria, who is from Colombia, was added to the 40-man roster last fall.
Viloria, who signed for $400,000 in 2013, really raised eyebrows in 2016 when he hit .376 with six home runs and 55 RBIs in rookie ball at Idaho Falls. This year, at Class A Advanced Wilmington, he hit .260 with six home runs and 44 RBIs.
"From what I've seen in the little bit I've seen in Spring Training, he can catch and throw," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "[Catching coach] Pedro Grifol worked in depth with him in spring. Pedro said [Virolia] will remind you a little bit of [Wilson] Contreras in Chicago. So I'm anxious to see."
Yost said there was a chance Viloria might make his debut Sunday to give Gallagher a rest. Gallagher has been battling a sore quad.
Viloria can't wait. He grew up idolizing Yadier Molina.
"But obviously I've watched a lot of Salvador Perez as well, and I'm excited to learn from him more defensively," Viloria said.
Yost also said he got one other scouting report on Viloria.
"They say the bigger the game, the better he plays," Yost said. "That's always a good sign."