Blue Jays: Who is the real Alejandro Kirk?

If the Blue Jays are going to compete for another AL East title in 2026, they need Kirk to be who he was last year — but is that actually who he is as a player?

One thing is certain: Kirk is an excellent defender. Last season, he ranked in the 100th and 98th percentiles for blocks above average and field framing, respectively. He has collected at least 10 field runs each of the past four seasons. Few catchers play the position better or manage a pitching staff better than him.

What’s concerning is that Kirk isn’t far from being a below-average hitter. He posted an OPS below .700 in 2023 and 2024 with a combined wRC+ of 94 during that stretch. Those mediocre numbers, combined with his defense, still equate to a useful player, but not exactly one who belongs in the discussion of the league’s best catcher.

The good news for Kirk and the Blue Jays is that his batted ball distribution suggests he’s made meaningful changes in 2025. His flyball rate of 37.2% was his highest ever in a full season, while his soft-contact rate was the lowest ever. Hitting more fly balls with authority and fewer weak ground balls is a surefire way to improve production.

Even more encouraging are Kirk’s gains in bat speed. His average of 120.5 km/h in 2025 represented a significant improvement over his average of 110 km/h in the previous year. He shouldn’t experience any decline here as a 27-year-old entering his prime.