(Photo credit: JAY BIGGERSTAFF USA TODAY Sports)

I know, I know, I know. It’s only May. We’re not even two full months into the season yet. But that point notwithstanding, it goes without saying that Kansas City Royals have exceeded expectations early on.

But in the small sample size of the 2024 season thus far, The early MVP favorite for the American League might have to go to catcher and potential future Hall of Famer Salvador Perez.

So far, Perez leads the AL in RBI with 30, he is second in batting average at .328, and OPS at .954. He has eight, which puts him in the top seven in the American League.

An MVP would be just what the former World series champion would need to solidify a Hall of Fame resume; Perez is already an eight-game All-Star, has won five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and his seventh place finish in the 2021 MVP voting was his highest finish.

One of the best catchers of his era, Salvy has only continued to increase his production with age, something not seen often among his contemporaries.

And with Kansas City currently among the best teams in baseball, it came at a perfect time.