Bluefield’s Alejandro Kirk has had a smashing pro debut this season.
Signed in the fall of 2016, he was limited to two ABs in the GCL last season, but the C/DH has made up for lost time this season. The Tijuana native has been the most consistent threat in Bluefield’s lineup, and was named to the league’s end-of-season All Star team as a DH, joining teammates OF Cal Stevenson and Reliever Sean Racoski.
At 5’9″/220, Kirk has the build of a Catcher, but doesn’t profile as one long term. He’s been adequate as a receiver for Bluefield, even catching Eric Pardinho’s near-perfect 7 inning outing. He’s split time between Catcher and DH, and probably will move to 1B in the future.
Using a wide base, closed stance, and a toe tap, the righthanded-hitting Kirk gets an excellent view of the strike zone, and seldom chases. He gets good plate coverage, and has strong pitch judgement, as evidenced by a 13% walk rate (vs an 8% K rate). You’ll find him near the top of most Appy League offensive categories with his .354/.443/.558 line, and is tied for the lead in RBI. John Eshelman (@2080_John on Twitter) of 2080baseball.com has had looks at Kirk this summer:
Writing up as a FV 30 catcher, emerg depth. The major concern is his extreme body backing up further. Certainly not 220, but he can receive, throw, hit, tap pop. That said, future success for teens at his size, even C, is rare. Will hit in full-season if he stays on field.
— John T Eshleman (@2080_John) August 30, 2018
The challenge as he moves up the system will be finding a place for Kirk on the field. But that will play, most likely next year in Lansing.
A 5’9 First Baseman, i find that hard to believe.
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Juan Kelly’s played at couple of hundred games there at 5’10”.
It’s not ideal, but they’ll have to find a way to keep his bat in the lineup. Don’t see him as a full time player there – he’s more of a C/1B/DH type.
Thanks for reading!
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Interesting bat. I like to think about what a player can do and how he could fit on a major league team. After all, most players on a 40-man roster are “role players”. Seems like a Kirk-type fits on a team with a Lind-type at 1B.
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