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· collected 2026-09-06 · by Gregor Chisholm
Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays' catcher, has rebounded strongly after a slow start to the season, with his bat and defense helping lift the team back up from its lowest point. Since the all-star break, Kirk has a .321 average, sixth-highest in the American League, and is excelling in high-leverage situations with a .341 batting average and .916 OPS. Kirk's value extends beyond his hitting, as he is also one of MLB's best defensive catchers, tied for first in catcher blocking runs and blocks above average. His recent performance has justified the team's faith in him, particularly after some fans called for him to be benched or replaced by rookie Brandon Valenzuela.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Alejandro Kirk, a 27-year-old catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, has rebounded from an early-season slump to become one of the team's most valuable players. Despite having a .202 average and .587 on-base-plus-slugging percentage at the all-star break, Kirk's track record suggested he would improve with time. However, many fans and critics were quick to dismiss him, even going so far as to call for Manager John Schneider to reduce his playing time in favor of rookie backup Brandon Valenzuela. But Kirk has responded by contributing significantly to the team's success, earning 1.9 wins above replacement, more than double that of teammate Brett Bateman and George Springer. This turnaround has earned him a reputation as one of Major League Baseball's top catchers.
Written for “Alejandro Kirk's Success Story” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
In case anybody made the mistake of forgetting how valuable Alejandro Kirk is to the Blue Jays organization, he has been sending constant reminders for the last six weeks.
asserted
he → make → weeks
Nobody seems to be clamouring for that now after he re-established himself as one of Major League Baseball’s top catchers.
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he → seem → catchers
When the Jays were at their lowest, Kirk responded by lifting them back up, with his bat and the way he handled an injury-riddled pitching staff that continues to perform above expectations.
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that → respond → expectations
If the Jays get into the playoffs, he’ll be one of the top reasons why.
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he → get → reasons
Far too many people were quick to dismiss Kirk during his early-season struggles.
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people → dismiss → struggles
The 27-year-old limped into the all-star break with a .202 average and .587 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, but the track record suggested he deserved the benefit of the doubt and would improve with time.
uncertain
he → limp → time
Plenty disagreed.
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Plenty → disagree → ?
Local sports radio ran frequent segments calling for manager John Schneider to cut Kirk’s playing time in favour of promising backup Brandon Valenzuela.
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Schneider → run → Valenzuela
My Toronto Star inbox was flooded with readers saying the same thing.
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readers → flood → thing
The 25-year-old deserved all the praise he got for doing such an admirable job filling in during Kirk’s injury.
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he → deserve → injury
His seven home runs and 18 RBIs leading into June 12 made the case for consistent at-bats.
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runs → lead → bats
The Jays probably should have considered putting one of the catchers at designated hitter more often, but Schneider was right to stick with Kirk as the primary option.
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Schneider → consider → option
He rewarded that faith by turning into the Jays’ most valuable player of the second half with 1.9 wins above replacement, nearly double that of runner-up rookie Brett Bateman (1.1) and George Springer (1.0).
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He → reward → Bateman
He entered Saturday night’s game in Kansas City with a .321 average since the all-star break, sixth-highest in the American League.
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He → enter → League
One of the more impressive aspects of Kirk’s run has been his ability to come through when the team needs him the most.
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team → come → him
While most Jays have struggled to execute with runners in scoring position, Kirk has excelled with a .386 average, second-highest in MLB among those with at least 200 plate appearances.
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Kirk → struggle → appearances
In high-leverage situations, he is batting .341 with a .916 OPS.
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he → bat → OPS
“For a guy who typically puts the ball in play and is swinging the bat the way he is right now, just trying to get him up with guys in scoring position
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he → put → position
,” Schneider said about Kirk’s recent move to the cleanup spot in the batting order.
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Schneider → say → order
Of course, Kirk’s value extends well beyond his bat because he’s also one of MLB’s best defensive catchers.
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he → extend → catchers
The seven-year veteran entered Saturday tied for first in catcher blocking runs and tied for first in blocks above average.
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veteran → enter → average
That’s a lot of value from a guy whose five-year, $58-million (U.S.) contract extension officially kicked in this season.
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extension → ’ → guy
The deal appeared to be a bargain when he signed it last year; it looks even better now.
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it → appear → it
Kirk is only the ninth-highest-paid Jay with a $8.7-million salary in 2026.
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Kirk → pay → 2026
Next year it will jump to $12.35 million, which would make him seventh.
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him → jump → million
He’s earning the league minimum and will remain near that level for at least the next two years before hitting salary arbitration in 2029.
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He → earn → 2029
Unless there’s a tantalizing trade that fills a need elsewhere, there’s no reason these two can’t play alongside each other for at least a few more seasons.
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two → ’ → seasons
Beyond 2026, the Jays should look for creative ways to get Valenzuela’s bat into the lineup a bit more regularly to stay sharp, but there’s no question who the starter should be.
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starter → look → lineup
Kirk was the opening-day guy in 2026, he’ll be the same again next year and the first-string duties are indisputably his.
That doesn’t change because of a one-month blip earlier in the year.
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That → change → year
It shouldn’t change if he cools off down the stretch, either.
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he → change → stretch
The ups and downs are part of baseball and while minor adjustments can always be made, Kirk is proof that no team should be in a rush to send high-end talent out the door.
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team → make → door
Because of that trio, it’s still very much on.
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it → ’ → trio
The Jays have signed a few deals over the years that came with regrets.
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that → sign → regrets
Kirk isn’t going to be one of them.
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Kirk → go → them
