KC Royals’ Salvador Perez, Seth Lugo receive team honors for first month of season
Kansas City Royals veterans Salvador Perez and Seth Lugo received a special honor on Friday afternoon.
Both players received monthly awards for their strong start to the 2024 season. Perez was named Royals player of the month. Meanwhile, Lugo was awarded pitcher of the month honors.
Perez, 33, has shined across the board. He leads the Royals with a .355 batting average, seven home runs, 27 RBIs and a 1.009 OPS (on-base plus slugging). Perez also hasn’t struck out in his last 36 plate appearances.
“We’re feeding off his energy, and he is feeding off the fact that we are winning some games,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We talked about this a lot: That’s all he cares about ... winning games.”
In April, Perez hit his 250th home run against the New York Mets. He also surpassed Royals Hall of Famer Mike Sweeney for fifth place on the Royals all-time RBI list.
Additionally, Perez has also helped guide a resurgent pitching staff. He has improved his pitch framing numbers and had a critical role in game planning this season.
Royals pitchers have a combined 3.14 ERA which ranks fifth in the majors. The unit is elevated by the additions of Lugo and Michael Wacha in the starting rotation. Relievers John Schreiber, Chris Stratton, Will Smith and Nick Anderson have stabilized the bullpen.
“For him to be the person he was last year, through a really tough season with wins and losses, he is the same person now,” Quatraro said of Perez. “But you can ratchet up the energy, the leadership in the clubhouse and how he plays the game.”
Lugo has been a linchpin in the success. He is 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA. He also leads the Royals with six quality starts.
In his last 14 innings, Lugo has allowed one earned run and recorded 17 strikeouts. His numbers have also drawn attention across the league.
“He’s been outstanding,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “It’s been fun to watch him because we know what we thought he would be from afar. But now, you are in the clubhouse with him and watching the work that he does. It feels like he is getting better with maybe more experience as a starter. ... It’s exciting to watch him pitch.”
Prior to Friday’s action, Lugo ranks tied for first in wins and seventh in ERA in MLB.
The Royals set a franchise record with their most wins through April. KC will face another challenge this weekend in a series against the defending World Series champions Texas Rangers.
This story was originally published May 3, 2024 at 12:26 PM.
