Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has been named captain of the Venezuela national team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Perez, a standout performer in the 2023 tournament, will lead the squad as they aim to secure their first medal since 2009. The announcement highlights his experience and leadership alongside players like José Altuve.
Salvador Perez, the veteran catcher for the Kansas City Royals, was appointed captain of Venezuela's team for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic on Monday. This marks his fourth appearance in the tournament, having participated in every edition since 2013 when he was 23 years old and prior to his first of nine Major League All-Star selections.
In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Venezuela fell short of the semifinals after a Trea Turner grand slam in a key game. Perez played a pivotal role, slashing .429/.467/.929 with one home run, four doubles, and six RBIs across the tournament. Five of those RBIs came in a 9-6 victory against Puerto Rico, earning him a spot on the All-WBC team. Over his career in eight WBC games, Perez has posted a .346/.393/.808 line, including two home runs and eight RBIs.
Venezuela manager Omar Lopez emphasized Perez's leadership potential earlier this year, pairing him with second baseman José Altuve as the team's guiding forces. "Right now, Salvador Perez and José Altuve can serve as the guiding force or standard-bearers for our national team as leaders both on and off the field," Lopez said. "Our strength will be the depth of the team; we will have a great pitching staff for this next World Baseball Classic."
The team boasts talented catchers to support Perez, including William Contreras, Willson Contreras, Gabriel Moreno, and Francisco Alvarez. Venezuela's last medal was a third-place finish in 2009, and they will open their 2026 campaign on March 6 in Miami against the Netherlands.