Royals’ Perez: Sanchez will be a ‘Star’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals had more success dealing with Gary Sanchez than other teams since the rookie catcher came up to the Yankees, but the American League’s top catcher was still impressed.

“He’s been very good so far,” Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez said before the Yankees beat the Royals 5-4 in 13 innings on Wednesday night. “If he keeps this up, he’s going to be a great player.”

That’s probably not likely, since Sanchez is off to a historic start to his career — though he hasn’t homered in four games after going 1-for-5 with a walk and a double.

Nevertheless, Sanchez has done enough already that the crowd chanted “Gary” derisively during his last three at-bats.

And for as much success as Perez has had in his career, it took him until his 17th game to hit his first homer, while Sanchez already has become the first player in MLB history to hit 11 homers in his first 23 games.

Perez, now 26, is no slouch, either. He has made four consecutive All-Star games — a streak that could prove to be in jeopardy.

“If he continues how he’s doing now, he’s going to be in a lot of All-Star games and do even more,” said Perez, adding that he’s not concerned about a potential rivalry between the two. “I need to do my job. I’m not worried about what anyone else is doing.”

Nevertheless, Perez, who has 20 homers, second behind Houston’s Evan Gattis among AL catchers, added that Sanchez looked familiar.

“He reminds me of myself when I was a young player,” Perez said. “In every way. From how he throws from back there, to his power and his whole style of play.”

But the Venezuelan native was quick to point out a distinction.

“My situation was different,” Perez said. “I made the big leagues at 21. He’s 23. So he had more experience before he got up here.”

Perez said he believes Sanchez can get even better.

“I’m still learning all the time and I know he is, too,” Perez said. “There’s a lot to do when you first get here and I think he must be picking things up very fast to do what he’s done.”

Both are 6-foot-3 and can hit for power to all fields.

“It’s not always going to be easy,” Perez said. “But you can see the talent and skill.’’