Blue Jays Discover Alejandro Kirk: Story of the Rising Star
- We marvel at Alejandro Kirk now, the Blue Jays catcher who defies convention.
- "Kirky's a unicorn," Blue jays manager John Schneider aptly puts it.
- Kirk's journey is a testament to baseball's enduring capacity for surprise.
The Enigma of Kirk: How a “Not Great Body” Became a Blue jays Revelation
We marvel at Alejandro Kirk now, the Blue Jays catcher who defies convention. But his story began in whispers, a fable told in baseball circles. In a sport that embraces diverse shapes and sizes, Kirk stood out – a catcher who looked unlike anyone else. Initially, that’s all anyone noticed. Then, they discovered he played unlike anyone else, too.
“Kirky’s a unicorn,” Blue jays manager John Schneider aptly puts it.
Kirk’s journey is a testament to baseball’s enduring capacity for surprise. Discovered in Tijuana, Mexico, he represents a confluence of right people, right place, and right time. In a game increasingly driven by projections and probabilities, Kirk is a reminder that the unexpected can still flourish. He’s an enigma, a player who keeps even his teammates guessing.
“I wish I could say I know so much about Kirky, but I really don’t,” admits pitcher Kevin Gausman. “He might like it that way.”
This is the story of Kirk,or at least the version he allows us to see.
The Other Guy
the year was 2016, a period when the Blue Jays found themselves “in the penalty box.” Fresh off signing vladimir Guerrero Jr. for $3.9 million the previous year, MLB’s international rules restricted their spending on individual players to a maximum of $300,000. The team shifted its strategy, focusing on quantity, scouring for talent far and wide.
Kirk was navigating the showcase circuit, frequently enough relegated to “the other guy” role. He’d step in for a few at-bats against a promising young pitcher, or perhaps fill in as a catcher if needed. The Tampa Bay rays even brought him to their Dominican Republic complex for a 10-day evaluation, but ultimately passed on offering him a contract. However, a Rays scout named Aaron Acosta saw something in Kirk and kept in touch. When Acosta joined the Blue Jays soon after, the first piece of the puzzle fell into place.
“At that time, it was my dream. I always had the dream to sign pro,” Kirk recalls through a club interpreter.”At that time