Carlos Perez turns out to be a nice catch for Angels

You won’t hear Carlos Perez’s name in a conversation about baseball’s heralded rookie class of 2015, but the Angels catcher has quietly emerged as a force behind the plate and an occasional threat at it, so much so that he has displaced veteran Chris Iannetta as the starter.

Perez singled and scored on David Murphy’s three-run home run in the third inning Tuesday night and doubled in the fifth and seventh innings off Seattle ace Felix Hernandez to help the Angels defeat the Mariners, 4-3, in Safeco Field.

He also threw out Ketel Murphy attempting to steal second in the first inning, a dart that saved a run when, two batters later, Nelson Cruz homered to center. It was the fourth time in five games Perez has thrown out a runner.

Perez, 24, acquired from Houston along with pitcher Nick Tropeano for Hank Conger last winter, shared time with Iannetta for three months. But he’s been getting the bulk of the playing time since Aug. 12 and has started eight of the team’s last nine games. He’s batting .233 on the season.

“I think he’s ready for the challenge,” said Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher. “A youngster coming up in the pennant race ... as much as the physical demands are, playing in games, catching guys who are not easy to catch, the mental part of bringing a game plan, calling your pitches, is equally as taxing. He’s catching well, throwing well, calling a good game. He’s doing well.”

Perez said he’s grown more comfortable and confident behind the plate as he has learned all of the pitchers, and playing more has allowed him to find some rhythm at the plate and behind it.

“When you play more games, your body feels better,” Perez said. “My defense and offense are really good.”

Tropeano, who allowed two runs and four hits in five innings Tuesday night, striking out five and walking three, paid Perez the ultimate compliment when he said, “Carlos called a great game. I don’t think I shook him off at any time.”

Perez did not seem capable of filling such a role this quickly in spring training. He opened the season at triple-A Salt Lake and joined the Angels on May 4.

“He’s twice the catcher he was when he came to spring training as far as his leadership, his confidence, understanding the pitchers ... all the stuff that is part of the development of a catcher,” Scioscia said.

“When he came to spring training, he was a little tentative, like you’d expect a guy coming to major league camp with a new team. I think [bullpen coach] Steve Soliz has done an incredible job of bringing him along, not only in the spring but preparing him for every day he plays. We’ve seen a lot of growth, and hopefully he’ll continue to grow.”

Follow Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter @MikeDiGiovanna