Toronto Blue Jays: Alejandro Kirk shows us all we need to see

He may be a 21-year old rookie, but Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk put on a hitting display against the New York Yankees making him worthy of a few more starts.

The catchers for the Toronto Blue Jays have collectively been horrible this season. Fresh faced Alejandro Kirk may have something to say about that.

He’s 21-years old and prior to making his major league debut two weeks ago, hadn’t appeared in a game above Single-A. With the performance he put up against the New York Yankees, he may not be going back.

Making just the fourth start of his career, Kirk proceeded to go 4-4, with three runs scored. He smacked his first major league home run, and was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

Entering the game Toronto catchers were hitting .142, with an OPS of .513. The team has eight sacrifice bunts on the year. Catchers have accounted for seven of them. If the sign is coming in to lay down a bunt that often, you know management doesn’t trust the hitter.

With a little bit of a Bartolo Colon swing about him, Kirk fits the stereotype of a backup catcher. Remember Spanky LaValliere? The two look alike. Short, stocky, boyish face hiding behind manly scruff.

Danny Jansen is the full time catcher, and he has been atrocious this year. He is hitting .160 with four home runs this year. In three years with the Jays he has a career average of .204.

Reese McGuire and Caleb Joseph have taken their turn behind the plate as well. They have hit .073 and .125 respectively.

This may just be one game from Kirk, though as the Jays sit in a pennant race they need to get more production from the catcher spot. Allowing him to ride this hot streak and see how far he can take it, is the only choice the Jays have.

Congratulations to Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk on his first major league home run and best of luck in the future.