With the Blue Jays heading out west for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday, Kirk arrives at Chavez Ravine emerging as the next star from Mexico who’s making history on baseballâ€s grandest stage.
With his Statcast-projected 403-foot two-run blast in Torontoâ€s Game 1 victory over the Dodgers on Friday night at Rogers Centre, Kirk became the first Mexican-born player to hit a World Series home run. It was the cherry atop a game for which he achieved national glory as the 18th player from Mexico to play in a World Series, the seventh position player — the first since the Yankees’ Karim Garcia in 2003 — and the first to appear as a catcher.
It was a moment that brought great joy to Tijuana, including to native Jorge Campillo, who, after pitching in the Majors with the Mariners and Braves from 2005-09, helped Kirk begin his journey into professional baseball by signing him as a 14-year-old to the Mexican Leagueâ€s Toros de Tijuana youth academy when Campillo was the teamâ€s director.
“Thereâ€s a lot of talent in Tijuana,†Campillo told MLB.com. “What heâ€s doing is not just historic for Tijuana; heâ€s making history for all of Mexico. Heâ€s a symbol of national pride.â€
This was just the latest “first” checked off by Kirk for his native land. In 2022, he was the first Mexican catcher to start in the All-Star Game. That Midsummer Classic also took place at Dodger Stadium, where Kirk shared a special moment with Valenzuela by catching the Dodgers legendâ€s ceremonial first pitch.
“For me, it was something very beautiful to be able to catch that first pitch from him in Los Angeles as a fellow Mexican,†Kirk recalled. “I didnâ€t grow up a Dodgers fan, but I know about all the Mexican people who root for the Dodgers and how big Mexico is for the team. … Itâ€s something I cherish a lot.â€
Now a two-time All-Star, Kirk is building his own legend by thriving on both sides of the ball.
In addition to setting career highs with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs during the regular season, Kirk also proved to be one of the toughest hitters to strike out: His 11.7 percent strikeout rate was the 11th lowest among all qualified Major League hitters.
Defensively, the 26-year-old backstop is a savior for Blue Jays pitchers, drawing rave reviews for his strong arm and elite blocking and pitch framing.
“Kirky does it on both sides,†said Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer. “Heâ€s back there grinding and calling a game. But heâ€s also lethal at throwing out baserunners. … His bat is such an important bat in our lineup. He can have long at-bats and hit the ball to all fields, and heâ€s a tough out. He means a lot to our ballclub.â€
To Campillo, the hitting aspect of Kirkâ€s game is nothing new. He considers Kirkâ€s bat “the best of any player†heâ€s worked with from a group that includes Rays All-Star first baseman Jonathan Aranda. During Campillo’s time as Tijuanaâ€s director, he watched a 15-year-old Kirk hit rockets in showcases against Cuban pitchers ranging from 18-21 years old who threw up to 94 mph. Kirk’s defense, however, is what has evolved mightily.
“Heâ€s a maestro on defense,†Campillo said. “Not many people talk about what he does behind the plate, but his framing, his arm, he does things I never thought he could do. I knew heâ€d be able to hit in the big leagues, but everything heâ€s developed on defense, itâ€s impressive.â€
Mexico has produced 152 Major League players. Mel Almada was the first in 1933, then came a greater influx of talent post-Valenzuela. What makes Kirk somewhat unique, though, is that heâ€s reaching stardom as a catcher.
Before Kirk, only a handful of Mexican catchers had played in the big leagues, the most notable being backups like Geronimo Gil and Humberto Cota. Kirk had to overcome a lot to get to this point, battling the doubts of prospective teams as an amateur due to his stocky frame before he finally signed with the Blue Jays in 2016 as an 18-year-old.
In some ways, Kirkâ€s journey was similar to that of Valenzuela, whose physique was a drawback for some teams that scouted him before the Dodgers eventually signed him as a teenager in 1979. Once Valenzuela broke through as a star, however, the path was laid for many pitchers from Mexico to reach the big leagues after him.
“After Fernandomania happened, teams came to Mexico and started to sign lefties who were a little overweight, thinking they might be the next Fernando Valenzuela,†Campillo said. “A lot of people say heâ€s a unicorn, but there could be more players like Kirk out there. Itâ€s about finding them. Kirk is helping the countryâ€s next generation of catchers to make sure teams believe in them. Heâ€s lifting Mexico to new heights.â€
Before that, though, El Capitan Kirk will look to help lift the Blue Jays to a World Series title in Fernandoâ€s old stomping grounds.
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