Toronto Blue Jays on the Brink of Eliminating Yankees for AL Championship Series
The Toronto Blue Jays are experiencing a dream season in Major League Baseball (MLB). They secured their best regular-season record since 1993 (94-68), ended a three-year postseason elimination streak (2020, 2022, and 2023), and are one win away from eliminating the New York Yankees, the most successful team in baseball history, to advance to the American League Championship Series.
Key Players Fueling Blue Jays’ Success
These achievements are backed by a core of key players. While some, like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, have larger spotlights, one of the quiet stars is Mexico’s Alejandro Kirk.
Alejandro Kirk: The Mexican Catcher Making Waves
Nicknamed ‘maestro’ and ‘captain’ by his teammates, Kirk has been one of the most prominent names in the first two games of the Blue Jays’ 2025 postseason, contrasting with his usually low-profile nature.
The Tijuana native became the first Mexican-born player to hit multiple home runs for an American League team in the postseason, achieving this feat during the Blue Jays’ 10-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of the 2025 Division Series, hitting two home runs.
The Blue Jays continued their dominant performance in Game 2, winning 13-7. Kirk contributed with a single, a run scored, and another RBI, though he didn’t draw as much attention. However, he reaffirmed his essence: consistent and effective performance.
“A Player with Unmatched Composure”
Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays’ general manager, praised Kirk’s composure during the 2025 preseason: “One of the things that sets Kirk apart is his poise; he’s incredible under pressure. It shows in his blocking and receiving skills during high-intensity moments, as well as how relaxed he remains. As he continues to grow, he could become one of the best baseball players.”
The Beginning of a Legacy
Toronto signed Kirk at 17 while he played for Tijuana’s Toros. His first contract was a modest $30,000.
His MLB debut had to wait until the 2020 season, becoming only the third Mexican-born player to start his career with the Toronto jersey after José Silva in 1996 and Roberto Osuna in 2015.
Steadily, he established himself within manager John Schneider’s team. In 2025, he played in 111 regular-season games as a catcher, the highest number in his entire Toronto career. He also set two personal records: 76 RBIs and 15 home runs.
Even before these numbers, his team trusted him as a long-term project. In mid-March, his contract was renewed for five years and $58 million.
“We have all the confidence in the world in him. His heart rate is slow in any situation. Sometimes, you wonder if he’s even awake back there, which is a compliment for a catcher (…) He has become an elite catcher,” Schneider said during the contract renewal.
In just two postseason games against the formidable Yankees, Kirk responded to this vote of confidence that will keep him with the Blue Jays at least until the 2030 season. Beyond the home runs, he was the catcher for 18 innings.
He instills confidence in the team both at the plate and away from it, as one of his significant changes in 2025 was moving to Dunedin, Ontario, to train at the club’s facilities during the preseason instead of his usual training in Mexico.
Notable Achievements
Alejandro Kirk has been part of the MLB All-Star Game twice (2022 and 2025) and won the Silver Slugger Award in 2022, given to the best offensive players by position. For Mexico, only Fernando Valenzuela, Vinicio Castilla, and Yovani Gallardo had previously won this award.
However, Kirk’s peak in 2025 coincides with his team’s success, which is one win away from advancing to their first AL Championship Series since 2016. It’s worth noting that this year also marked the Blue Jays’ first Division East title in the American League since 2015.
Blue Jays and Yankees have never faced each other in the postseason before. The upcoming game aims to showcase Toronto as the victor, as the Series Divisional advances to the team that secures three wins, which could happen on Tuesday in New York.
Only three players had hit multiple home runs for Toronto in the postseason: José Bautista in 2015, Danny Jansen in 2020, and Teoscar Hernández in 2022. The fourth is a catcher who honed his skills in the Toros de Tijuana academy.
A total of eight Mexican players appeared in the 2025 postseason landscape among the 12 teams that advanced at least to the Wild Card round.
Five still have a chance to play: Alejandro Kirk with the Blue Jays, Taijuan Walker with the Philadelphia Phillies, Javier Assad with the Chicago Cubs, and the duo of Andrés Muñoz and Randy Arozarena with the Seattle Mariners, all aiming for the AL Championship Series and eventually the World Series.
For Kirk, his next game will be on Tuesday, October 7 (6:00 PM Central Mexico time) when the Blue Jays visit Yankee Stadium, aiming to complete the sweep and advance to the American League Championship Series.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Alejandro Kirk, and why is he relevant? Alejandro Kirk is a Mexican catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s relevant because he has been instrumental in the team’s success during the 2025 postseason, hitting crucial home runs and displaying exceptional composure behind the plate.
- What makes Alejandro Kirk stand out? Kirk’s unmatched composure under pressure, exceptional blocking and receiving skills, and consistent performance make him stand out.
- What are Alejandro Kirk’s achievements? Kirk has been a two-time MLB All-Star (2022 and 2025) and winner of the Silver Slugger Award in 2022. He’s also helped the Blue Jays reach the brink of the AL Championship Series in 2025.
- How has Alejandro Kirk’s career progressed? The Blue Jays signed Kirk at 17, and he made his MLB debut in 2020. He has steadily become a key player, setting personal records in games played, RBIs, and home runs in 2025. His contract was renewed for five years and $58 million, reflecting the team’s confidence in him.
- What is the significance of Alejandro Kirk’s performance in the 2025 postseason? Kirk’s performance has been crucial for the Blue Jays’ success in the 2025 postseason, helping them reach the brink of the AL Championship Series. His home runs and consistent play have been vital in their series against the New York Yankees.
