When he signed with the Kansas City Royals in 2002, Salvador Perez was a high-school freshman who was desperate to play in the big leagues. His mother had made him promise that he would play in the big leagues. Though Arizona was far from his hometown, the language barrier was never an issue. He was fluent in English and Spanish. His mother, who lives in Arizona, still urged him to sign with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals’ front office did not hesitate to sign him.