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Alejandro Kirk was vital to the Blue Jays’ success in 2025
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Photo credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Nov 21, 2025, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 20, 2025, 22:51 EST
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Everything went right for the Toronto Blue Jays, at least up to the final two games of the World Series.
There were plenty of players who could be considered the most valuable player of the team. George Springer’s resurgence probably earns him the award, going from a player who could potentially be designated for assignment to a player posting an incredible 166 wRC+. Bo Bichette’s return to normal was a big help, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a strong season.
If not for Eric Lauer, the season may not have turned out the way that it did. The left-handed pitcher was signed on a minor-league deal last off-season after a season in Korea. He eventually made the Jays’ roster and pitched to a 3.18 ERA and 3.85 FIP in 104.2 innings pitched, making 15 starts along the way. With Bowden Francis’ struggles and Max Scherzer’s injury, the Jays needed Lauer to step up.
However, Alejandro Kirk’s season is the reason the Jays performed they did. Before the beginning of the 2025 season, Kirk signed a five-year deal worth $58 million and proceeded to have one of the best seasons for a catcher in Blue Jays’ history.
Back in 2022, the 27-year-old slashed .285/.372/.415 with 14 home runs in 541 plate appearances, with a higher BB% (11.6%) than K% (10.7%) as he proceeded to put up a 129 wRC+. Kirk won the Silver Slugger award for the position that season, but regressed to a slightly below-average hitter in 2023 and 2024.
Between those two seasons, Kirk slashed .251/.327/.358 with 13 home runs in 808 plate appearances for a 94 wRC+. While his bat was below average, Kirk became one of the best defensive catchers in the league.
In 2025, he put it all together. On the offensive side of things, Kirk slashed .282/.348/.421 with a career-high 15 home runs, giving him a 116 wRC+. Behind the plate, Kirk finished with a league-high 22 Fielding Run Value, while also posting 9 Defensive Runs Saved. Kirk was the best blocker in baseball and the second-best framer.
This doesn’t even mention his strong postseason. Over 83 plate appearances, the 27-year-old backstop slashed .254/.349/.493 with five home runs. Those five home runs are tied for the most home runs in a single postseason by a catcher, tied with Cal Raliegh and Sandy Alomar Jr. The difference between Kirk and Raleigh’s defence in the American League Championship Series was also night and day.
Catcher is the most important position in baseball because of the ability to impact both ends of the ball. Not only has Kirk emerged as one of the best defensive catchers in the league (get him his Gold Glove), but he also produced offensively in 2025. Kirk’s importance to the Blue Jays 2025 and beyond cannot be understated.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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