Alejandro Kirk hopes to play for Mexico in WBC
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Ángel Cantú, Contributor
- April 23, 2025
Alejandro Kirk expects home crowd for Mexico in Houston
HOUSTON – Alejandro Kirk was set to represent Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami. However, because of the birth of his daughter, the Tijuana native withdrew to accompany his wife for their special moment.
Once his daughter was born, he had the obligation to return to the Blue Jays for spring training to work with their pitching staff. More importantly for Kirk, because he was expected to be Toronto’s primary catcher.
He missed the WBC for a great reason. Now Kirk hopes to don the traditional red, white, and green colors. He hasn’t been formally invited to play for Team Mexico next year, but he wants them to know he is patiently waiting by the phone to receive Mexico’s call.
He knows Mexico will have plenty of support for Pool Play at Houston’s Daikin Park.
“I’m happy,” he said before the second game of a three-game series against the Astros at Daikin Park. “For me it will be an honor, a dream come true to be able to represent Mexico and more here in this place.”
Kirk certainly has the resume to get the call from his home country. In 2022, he became the first Mexican catcher to be named an MLB All-Star. That year he batted .285 and slugged 14 home runs to earn a Silver Slugger.
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Team Mexico general manager Rodrigo Lopez named Kirk one of the best catchers to come from Mexico. The 5-foot-8 backstop’s knowledge of the strike zone makes him a valuable asset both offensively and defensively.
Strike zone recognition
During spring training MLB used the Automated Ball-Strike System, which is used to track pitches in the strike zone. Teams were given two challenges per game. They only lost a challenge if they were wrong.
Notably, Alejandro Kirk, who is known for his impressive pitch framing, correctly challenged seven straight ABS calls. He earned his pitchers close strikes that were originally called balls. He framed a pitch so well for 3-time Cy Young Max Scherzer, the longtime ace was fooled into challenging a ball that Kirk made seem a strike.
Kirk’s reputation as a great defensive catcher also shows in his ability to nab runners trying to steal. The 26-year-old has thrown out 27.3% of runners since last season, which is tops in MLB. His tremendous catching ability earned him a 5-year $58 million contract extension with Toronto.
Former Toronto manager Buck Martinez, a renowned broadcaster who caught 17 years in the majors, raves about Kirk.
“For me, the most important thing for a catcher is to gain the trust of his pitchers, and he certainly has done that,” Buck Martinez said about Kirk. “His pitchers love throwing to him.
“They know when they throw their best splitter that might be in the dirt they know Kirk is going to block them.”
Being a catcher in the major leagues is taxing. When Kirk isn’t working on pitch game plans or in the cages, he spends his time in the trainer’s room and gym to get his body healed and prepared to squat for nine innings.
Off-the-field workouts
Often, he works with the Blue Jays’ trainer on stretching techniques. He also takes advantage of the team’s masseuse for massages to ail his aching pains.
Moreover, his pregame routine involves a gym workout to make sure he stays strong enough to be able to last the 162-game season.
“On a normal day I prepare in the trainer’s room and do my daily gym workout,” Kirk said. “To me, the most important thing is the preparations I do before and after the game.”
Houston’s Daikin Park will host Pool B of the WBC. The group will include Team USA, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil. With Houston’s strong Mexican ties, Kirk is optimistic to see a sea of green and red in the stands supporting Mexico.
“Every time we come here, there are a lot of Mexican fans,” Kirk said. “We hope they’re able to come and support us in the World Baseball Classic.”
Ángel Cantú
Contributor
Our Esquina contributor Ángel Cantú is a co-host for the Full Seam Ahead podcast. He joined Teach for America after graduating from Texas A&M University. He is currently a fourth grade teacher at KIPP Public Schools in Houston.
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