Alejandro Kirk
Alejandro Kirk | |
---|---|
![]() Kirk with the Buffalo Bisons in 2021 | |
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 30 | |
Catcher | |
Born: Tijuana, Mexico | November 6, 1998|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 12, 2020, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
Batting average | .259 |
Home runs | 9 |
Runs batted in | 27 |
Teams | |
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Alejandro Kirk (born November 6, 1998) is a Mexican professional baseball catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Early life[]
Kirk began playing baseball at three years of age, and grew up a fan of Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals.[1] His Little League team was coached by his father.[2] He has an elder brother, Juan Manuel Jr., and a younger brother, Andres.[1]
Professional career[]
Kirk was discovered by Toronto Blue Jays scout Dean Decillis at a showcase held by the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He was signed by the team on September 24, 2016, and received a $7,500 signing bonus, with the Toros receiving $22,500 to release him.[1] He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays in 2017, appearing in one game.[3] He played the entire 2018 season with the Rookie Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays, and recorded a .354 batting average with 10 home runs and 57 runs batted in (RBI) in 58 games. Kirk also walked more than he struck out, finishing the season with 33 and 21 respectively.[3] He was promoted to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts to begin the 2019 season, and later earned a promotion to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, where he finished the year. In 92 total games played, Kirk hit .290 with seven home runs, 44 RBI, and 56 walks against just 39 strikeouts.[3] On February 7, 2020, the Blue Jays invited Kirk to spring training.[4]
Kirk was expected to begin the 2020 minor league season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, however the season was delayed and ultimately cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was added to the team's taxi squad on September 1, 2020.[5] On September 11, Kirk was called up by the Blue Jays.[6] He made his debut the following night, and recorded his first MLB hit.[7] On September 21, 2020, he recorded four hits and his first home run in the majors. He also became the first catcher 21 or younger to hit four hits in a game since Joe Mauer in 2004.[8] Overall with the 2020 Blue Jays, Kirk batted .375 with one home run and 3 RBIs in 9 games.[9]
On May 8, 2021, Kirk was placed on the 60-day injured list with a left hip flexor injury.[10] On July 20, Kirk was activated off of the injured list after missing over two months of action.[11] Overall for the 2021 season, Kirk batted .242 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 60 games.[12]
References[]
- ^ a b c Davidi, Shi (March 4, 2020). "Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk a unique catching prospect who 'breaks the mould'". Sportsnet. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ McGrath, Kaitlyn (February 26, 2020). "Alejandro Kirk drawing attention at Blue Jays camp with his size, play and personality". The Athletic. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Alejandro Kirk Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ Brudnicki, Alexis (February 7, 2020). "Pearson part of Toronto's non-roster invites to ST". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ McGrath, Kaitlyn (September 11, 2020). "Blue Jays usher in Alejandro Kirk era with bold move to call up young catcher". The Athletic. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ "Blue Jays reinstate Ken Giles from IL, promote Alejandro Kirk". Sportsnet. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ Haim, Mike (September 12, 2020). "Blue Jays seal win over Mets with a pickoff in rookie Alejandro Kirk's debut". thestar.com. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ Matheson, Keegan (September 22, 2020). "He's 5-foot-8, 265 lbs. And yes, he mashes". MLB.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Alejandro Kirk Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
- ^ "Blue Jays Select A.J. Cole, Move Alejandro Kirk To 60-Day IL". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Blue Jays Designate T.J. Zeuch For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Alejandro Kirk Overview". baseball-reference.com.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- 1998 births
- Living people
- Bluefield Blue Jays players
- Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
- Dunedin Blue Jays players
- Gulf Coast Blue Jays players
- Lansing Lugnuts players
- Major League Baseball catchers
- Major League Baseball players from Mexico
- Mexican expatriate baseball players in Canada
- Mexican expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Sportspeople from Tijuana
- Toronto Blue Jays players