Perez’s ‘crazy’ defensive skills only improving

MINNEAPOLIS — One day last week as Royals manager Ned Yost was sitting in his office gabbing with a couple of reporters, he was asked point blank if Salvador Perez was the best defensive catcher in baseball.

Yost didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely,” Yost said. “But well, wait, I’ll say best in the league. That other guy [Yadier] Molina is pretty darn good, too.”

But every season since Perez emerged on the scene in 2011, the Royals have seen improvement in his defensive skills, whether it’s throwing out runners, picking off runners, blocking wild pitches, you name it.

That’s the reason that Perez is a four-time All-Star and most likely will grab his fourth straight Gold Glove after this season.

This season especially has been phenomenal for Perez. His caught-stealing percentage is an off-the-charts 53 percent, best in baseball and a career high.

Perez has only two passed balls — one when he was crossed up by the pitcher — and that would represent a career low for a full season.

And most impressively, Perez has improved his pop time — the time it takes after a pitch reaches his mitt to the time it takes …

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