WATCH: Alejandro Kirk Snags 1st MLB Hit in 1st Game
Rocking the ever-popular No. 85 (Lastings Milledge, anyone?), Alejandro Kirk made his MLB debut for the Blue Jays on Saturday. He also got his first hit out of the way, singling the bottom of the sixth inning of Toronto’s game vs. the Mets.
First Game = FIRST @MLB HIT!
Welcome to The Show, @alejandro_kirk 🚀 pic.twitter.com/01fTzLyuWE
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 13, 2020
All told, he reached base twice in four plate appearances, walking in addition to his base knock.
A special night for Captain Kirk!
Congrats, @alejandro_kirk 👏 pic.twitter.com/mWQkdp99Tt
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 13, 2020
It’s a pretty cool story; the hefty backstop had never even played Double-A or Triple-A before making his big league debut. But since every catcher they’ve trotted out this year has struggled, the team shook things up and brought him up. Combined, Reese McGuire, Caleb Joseph, and Danny Jansen have hit .123 this year (17-for-138). On;y Jansen and Kirk remain now; McGuire (3-for-41) was transitioned to the taxi squad and Joseph was DFA’d when they brought Kirk up.
Toronto won the game 3-2 to improve to 25-20 on the season. Robbie Ray, who they traded for at the deadline, had a first of his own, picking up his first win since coming over from Arizona. In addition to performing well on the field, Kirk also seems to lift his teammate’s spirits by just being there.
💙 all around for @alejandro_kirk 🤗 pic.twitter.com/UPV6Bgld5M
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 13, 2020