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Roberto Perez ‘to take advantage of this opportunity’ to be Indians’ No. 1 catcher

Roberto Perez is ready ‘to take advantage of this opportunity’ to be the Cleveland Indians’ No. 1 catcher.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians placed a lot of faith in catcher Roberto Perez when they dealt away American League All-Star backstop Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals for minor-league prospects earlier this offseason.

Knowing that it is his time to shine, Perez is ready to get to work as the No. 1 catcher in spring training next month.

“I’m excited,” Perez told WKYC.com at TribeFest earlier this month.

“I’m excited for the opportunity. It’s tough to see Yan go. He was a great teammate, a great person. We got along pretty well, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I’m looking forward to winning. I think that’s the key. We’re building a winning culture, and I’m just ready to go out and compete and have fun.”

Credit: David Maxwell
Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez bats against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning of an American League Central Division game at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on September 20, 2018.

Perez got an extended workload in 2016 when Gomes battled through injuries and was the backstop for the Indians’ run to Game 7 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs.

Then, in 2017, Perez played in 71 games behind the plate, collecting 664 putouts and assisting on 33 plays with only two errors. He threw out 13 of the 30 players who attempted to steal a base and posted a .997 fielding percentage.

Known far more for his defense, Perez had 44 hits, including 12 doubles and eight home runs, with 38 RBI and 22 runs scored over 215 at-bats to go along with 26 walks against 71 strikeouts.

Last year, Perez caught 62 games, and in 179 at-bats, had nine doubles, two home runs and one triple.

“Getting the opportunity to play every day and getting consistent at bats (is good),” Perez said. “I’m a very confident guy. I had a disappointing season last year, but I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity because I don’t know if it’s going to come back again. I’m just going to grind it out. I’m excited and ready to roll.”

Credit: Ron Schwane
Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez hits a one-run double off Minnesota Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on August 6, 2018.

To better prepare himself for the responsibility of being an every-day catcher, one expected to produce both defensively and at the plate, Perez did not have much of an offseason, as he played in the Dominican Republic.

“I got I think over 80 at-bats,” Perez said. “I did really good. I felt good. I wanted to prove myself and challenge myself a little bit more. They have great pitching in the Dominican, so it was a great experience.”

Credit: Mike Ehrmann
Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco (left) and catcher Roberto Perez (right) high-five during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida on September 12, 2018.

In addition to improving his offense, Perez will be tasked with leading the Indians’ starting rotation, which bolsters three American League Cy Young Award candidates in Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer.

“It’s fun working with these guys,” Perez said. “These guys make my job easy.

“They throw strikes, they like to compete, they work hard, so I’m looking forward to it. It starts in spring training. I’ve been with them the last four or five years, and I know what they’re trying to do, but spring training, we’re going to try to get on the same page and have a good year.”

Credit: Ron Schwane
Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez throws out Cam Gallagher (not pictured) of the Kansas City Royals at first base during the seventh inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on September 4, 2018.

Although Perez is looking to be more of an offensive threat for the Indians while keeping up his stout defensive efforts, he will not take on too much, either during spring training or once the games begin in late March.

“Just be myself,” Perez said.

“Don’t try to put a lot of pressure on myself. I think that’s one thing I do really (well) with catching. I think I have a tough job and a challenge (in front) of me with the pitching staff and what they have done in the last few years. Going to try to keep it simple, going with the flow and having fun.”

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