As Jose Berrios walked as much as the rostrum within the media convention room at Rogers Centre on Wednesday morning, he turned to the gathering of reporters and cracked a joke.
“You see what Kirk did? He introduced all of you right here,” Berrios stated with a smile.
The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander was referring to teammate Alejandro Kirk, who simply minutes earlier than addressed media for the primary time since signing a five-year, $58-million contract extension on Tuesday.
After all, the explanation for the meeting of cameras and recording gadgets was that the Blue Jays had been holding their exercise day forward of Thursday’s season-opener in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles. Nevertheless, it was additionally a day through which Kirk was within the highlight.
Kirk stated signing the contract was a “particular second” for him and his spouse, daughter and fogeys, who had been all in Toronto for the event.
“It is one thing that is very particular,” Kirk stated by way of interpreter Hector Lebron. “I am feeling very excited concerning the contract, however my principal purpose for now’s simply to win. That is my mentality. Attempt to be within the playoffs yearly.”
Kirk, who the Blue Jays signed out of Mexico as an newbie free agent in 2016, is coming into his sixth major-league season however the first through which he is anticipated to be the first catcher and never a part of a timeshare behind the plate. He stated conversations with the membership about an extension started in spring coaching as soon as the Grapefruit League schedule had begun.
“It is one thing that you just at all times need, particularly with the workforce that indicators you,” stated Kirk. “It was somewhat little bit of a shock. I wasn’t anticipating it, to inform you the reality.”
The 26-year-old entered the majors as an offence-first contributor however has since labored diligently to grow to be one of many stronger defensive catchers within the sport. Since 2022, Kirk leads all MLB catchers with 39 defensive runs saved and final yr, his pitch framing ranked within the 93rd percentile.
Kirk loved his greatest yr as a hitter in ’22, when he posted a 127 OPS-plus and received a Silver Slugger award. He regressed offensively in 2023 and ’24 — combining for 13 residence runs and a 93 OPS-plus throughout these two seasons — however the Blue Jays really feel assured that Kirk can reverse that pattern. His potential to make contact has at all times remained sturdy and Kirk did impress onlookers throughout spring coaching.
Past the sphere, although, the group has been impressed with the expansion that Kirk has displayed behind the scenes.
“He has proven that he cannot solely be elite on the sphere, however elite within the clubhouse,” stated Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider. “Incomes the belief of gamers and he is closely concerned with game-planning. There’s rather a lot on his plate. I want everybody may stroll by way of his day — it is rather a lot.
“It is each single assembly after which getting your self prepared for the sport. So, he is actually moved the needle ahead in that space.”
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Watch Blue Jays Opening Day on Sportsnet
The Blue Jays are formally again as they start their season with Jose Berrios on the mound in opposition to the Orioles. Watch Opening Day, starting with a particular version of Blue Jays Central, beginning at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on Thursday, March 27, on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
- Schneider lauded Kirk’s communication and management and says that after the membership traded longtime catcher Danny Jansen final July, Kirk took possession of his new function because the clear No. 1.
“Whenever you’re in a timeshare — for a few years it was with [Jansen] or [former Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno], whoever it was — you go about it maybe somewhat bit completely different,” stated Schneider. “You are not as assertive in sure areas. Going again to final yr, [Kirk] took a step ahead in that understanding. It was in all probability after we traded Jano and it was, ‘OK, that is my workforce.'”
Kirk spent two months on the Blue Jays’ participant improvement advanced previous to spring coaching to be able to higher put together himself for the marketing campaign. He pointed to that further work and stated he feels higher “bodily and mentally” than he did throughout his all-star season in 2022.
His teammates have taken discover.
“He been working actually, actually onerous to attempt to keep in form, wholesome and powerful on the market to compete and win ballgames,” stated Berrios, who will take the mound on Thursday with Kirk as his batterymate. “I am blissful and I am happy with him.
“Now it is time to take pleasure in that,” added Berrios. “But additionally, I do know he’ll hold centered and proceed working onerous to attempt to get higher on a regular basis.”
