According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk will be taking on the role of catcher full-time this season. A role that will be new for him with the departure of Danny Jansen, who signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in December. Jansen initially signed with the Boston Red Sox on July 27th. Kirk’s goal for this season is to return to his 2022 numbers. In 2022, Kirk earned his first All-Star selection and was batting .285 with an OPS of .787. 2022 was a career-high for him in many categories while impressively recording more walks (63) than strikeouts (58). This season will present challenges for Kirk as he looks to improve his numbers..
Positioned as the clear and definitive starting catcher for the Blue Jays in 2025, Alejandro Kirk is set to carry the heaviest single-season workload of his career.
That’s why his ongoing progress will continue to be essential for Toronto. (@ShiDavidi) https://t.co/SpTH6R23ws
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 15, 2025
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Alejandro Kirk Named Full-Time Catcher For Blue Jays
Kirk’s Underrated Abilities as a Catcher
When it comes to Kirk and his abilities as a catcher, they are quite often underrated. Kirk’s defensive prowess is highlighted by his capability of framing and blocking pitches effectively. According to Baseball Savant, Kirk ranked in the 93rd percentile with framing pitches and in the 87th percentile with Caught Stealing Above Average (CS Above Average). This is often overlooked as his offensive play gets criticized due to his size. Kirk has pop and has gained more attention as a significant part of the Blue Jays lineup.
While the pressure will be on Kirk to perform at a stronger level, at 26 years old, the Cuban-born player has room to grow. Kirk is far from just an average catcher. According to Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays’ Ross Atkins has confidence in his catcher and believes he thrives under pressure. Atkins stated, “One thing all of you here know well is that one of the things that separates Kirk is his poise. He’s incredible under pressure.” His ability to remain calm under pressure is a strong asset that he carries. It also helps with his pitch blocking. What makes Kirk so strong at blocking pitches is his impressive hand-eye coordination, his broadened stance that generates stability, and remaining calm in heated situations. All of these elements permit him to block pitches with accuracy during crucial moments.
Main Photo Credits: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images
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