Alejandro Kirk excited to represent Mexico
-
José de Jesus Ortiz, Founder & Editor in Chief
- March 5, 2026
Alejandro Kirk bolsters Mexico lineup
HOUSTON – Alejandro Kirk could only watch from afar three years ago as Mexico made history with its best finish in the World Baseball Classic. The All-Star catcher withdrew from the 2023 Classic because he had arrived late to spring training while waiting for the birth of his child.
Kirk had longed to represent the green, white and red tricolor since he was a youth baseball player in Tijuana, just south of the border with San Diego.
After shining for the Blue Jays during the thrilling seven-game World Series against the Dodgers last October, Kirk is set to live out another childhood dream on Friday afternoon at Daikin Park against Great Britain.
“I’m excited,” he said. “Truly, I’ve been very excited. I stayed with the desire from the last World Baseball Classic. To be able to share a clubhouse with different teammates from different organizations that I haven’t been able to speak to before is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Elite company
At only 27 years old with just parts of six seasons in the majors, the two-time All-Star is already the greatest Mexican catcher in Major League Baseball history. Heck, he’s the most accomplished Mexican position player in postseason history.
His 24 career postseason hits are the most by any native of Mexico. He hit .308 (8-for-26) with two home runs and six RBIs during the 2026 World Series against the Dodgers.
Kirk, outfielders Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran, first baseman Jonathan Aranda, pitcher Taijuan Walker and closer Andres Muñoz give Mexico six MLB All-Stars on its WBC roster for the first time.
Duran and Aranda weren’t regular starters in the last WBC, and now they’re key pieces. Duran was the MVP of the 2024 All-Star Game. Aranda made his All-Star debut in 2025, joining his Tijuana youth teammate Kirk at the Midsummer Classic at Truist Park last July in Atlanta.
More from Our Esquina
Tijuana’s Alejandro Kirk, Jonathan Aranda live out childhood dreams
Alejandro Kirk defies stereotypes, inspires a continent
Mariners reliever Andres Muñoz benefits from brothers
“Alejandro wasn’t able to participate last time, but he has already gone to two All-Star Games,” Team Mexico manager Benjamin Gil said. “Aranda, back then he wasn’t a starter. Now he went to the All-Star Game.
“We have four players within the lineup who have attended an All-Star Game, who have turned into stars in the major leagues. Not just Mexican stars, but also in the major leagues.”
‘Good role model’
With the exception of Arozerana, who was the story of the 2020 MLB postseason and Team Mexico’s 2023 run, none of those stars is bigger than Kirk. The 5-foot-8, 245-pounder made his first All-Star appearance in 2022. He also won a Silver Slugger as the top hitting catcher in the American League that season.
After Kirk’s breakout 2022 season, Gil was eager to have Kirk on the 2023 WBC roster. Kirk had career highs with 14 home runs, 63 RBIs and a .285 batting average in 2022.
He set new career highs with 15 home runs, 76 RBIs as a major part of the AL champions’ roster. Kirk also has drawn praise for his job behind the plate defensively and guiding a pitching staff.
Kirk “had a good World Series run where he led that (Toronto) team,” outfielder Alek Thomas said. “He’s a good role model and a good person to be around. He keeps to himself a little bit, but I feel like he’s someone who leads by example, plays hard and represents Mexico in a special way. I feel like he’s going to do a lot in this tournament and help us go far.”
José de Jesus Ortiz
Founder & Editor in Chief
Award-winning writer Jose de Jesus Ortiz, a former lead sports columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has covered Major League Baseball since 1997 in Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, New York and Houston. He was the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Stay in the Loop
Get the Our Esquina Email Newsletter
By submitting your email, you are agreeing to receive additional communications and exclusive content from Our Esquina. You can unsubscribe at any time.