Back in Blue Jays camp at last, ‘happy’ Kirk eager to prepare for season

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday morning, a well-known sound blared from the batting cages on the Blue Jays’ spring coaching facility. Alejandro Kirk had arrived in camp, so his teammates acknowledged his presence by taking part in his walk-up music, “El Mechón” by Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga.

“It felt great,” Kirk stated afterward by interpreter Hector Lebron. “To be here and be with my teammates again, it’s awesome.”

His arrival was delayed by two and a half weeks as a result of he was awaiting the beginning of his first little one, a daughter born earlier this week.

Listen to Blue Jays baseball on Sportsnet.ca

New this season, baseball followers can dwell stream the radio broadcast of each Toronto Blue Jays sport on Sportnset.ca and the Sportsnet app. And don’t neglect to hearken to Jays Talk Post-Game for full evaluation of all of the motion on the sphere.

Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Blue Jays Talk

.acf-block-preview .br-snippet {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
hole: 20px;
width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 16px;
border: 1px stable #CECECE;
background-color: #FFF;
border-radius: 4px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info a {
text-decoration: none;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-title {
shade: #343434;
font-family: ‘roboto’;
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 22px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
prime: -3px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-body {
shade: #343434;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 20px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title {
show: inline-block;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
list-style-type: none;
width: auto;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title:not(:last-child):after ‘;
shade: #343434;

“He’s a lovable guy,” added Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider. “We all love what he does on the field and in the clubhouse. So, it was nice for him to get in. Happy for him and (his family), obviously, with the baby. The vibe kind of picks up a little bit when you get Kirky in the mix.”

“It’s super exciting,” added Alek Manoah after making his spring debut against the Pirates in Thursday’s 2-2 Grapefruit League tie. “We’ve missed him the past two weeks. His daughter was born (so recently), and a day later he’s here. It just shows how much he cares and how much he was fighting to get back out here. We’re super excited to have him back and get to work.”

Understandably, baseball was going to be second on the precedence checklist for some time. As Kirk stated: “It’s simple. Family comes first, and then the rest.” But on the similar time, these previous couple of weeks have been worrying for Kirk, who was additionally juggling commitments to the Blue Jays and Mexico’s World Baseball Classic Team whereas trying to get into sport form. It wasn’t how he would have drawn it up.

“It was a combination for me,” Kirk stated. “I was very happy and excited for my baby to be born. But at the same time, there was a little bit of stress because I couldn’t be here with the guys getting ready.”

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::earlier than {
content material: “”;
place: absolute;
prime: 45%;
left: 50%;
rework: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
peak: 0px;
border-top: 14px stable clear;
border-left: 22px stable #fff;
border-bottom: 14px stable clear;
margin-left: 3px;
}

Even if the previous few weeks had been a interval of limbo for Kirk, he did have some sources at his disposal in San Diego. Bullpen catcher Luis Hurtado flew out to facilitate exercises, and a pitching machine was at their disposal for blocking and receiving drills.

Kirk was additionally in a position to preserve his arm in form by throwing to bases and take a look at his legs by working. Everything aside from hitting on the sphere, basically, and if there’s one factor the 24-year-old has all the time been in a position to do, it’s hit.

“I’m confident that he’ll pick up offensively,” Schneider stated. “It’s just a matter of getting him going defensively.”

On that entrance, the subsequent week or so can be vital for Kirk, who will start by catching bullpen periods quickly. Within every week or so, he may very well be taking part in in spring video games, however there’s no must rush that ramp-up with 4 weeks remaining earlier than opening day.

Now that he’s withdrawn from the WBC, Kirk ought to have greater than sufficient time to familiarize himself with new pitchers like Chris Bassitt and Erik Swanson. And if it requires just a little extra preparation than regular for this time of yr, he’s prepared for it.

“I know I won’t have the regular spring training,” Kirk stated. “It’s kind of short timing, but at the same time, you’ve got to be smart about it. We’re going to be working hard. I know I’ve got to work a little bit harder to get ready for the season.”

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::earlier than {
content material: “”;
place: absolute;
prime: 45%;
left: 50%;
rework: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
peak: 0px;
border-top: 14px stable clear;
border-left: 22px stable #fff;
border-bottom: 14px stable clear;
margin-left: 3px;
}

Once Kirk is prepared, he’ll be an integral a part of the Blue Jays’ plans on either side of the ball. Defensively, he’ll share catching duties with Danny Jansen. (Daulton Varsho began 18 video games behind the plate with the Diamondbacks final yr, however he hasn’t been catching this spring and expects for use as a late-innings substitute or emergency possibility, fairly than a starter.)

At the plate, Kirk will get common begins at DH together with Brandon Belt (who’s not but shut to creating his spring debut) and others. Following an All-Star season wherein Kirk batted .285, posted a .786 OPS and received a Silver Slugger, he’ll start the season in the course of the Blue Jays’ batting order.

“When he’s going good, it’s a ton of on-base and a ton of contact,” Schneider stated. “You put that in the middle of the order with guys hopefully getting on at the top of the order and then him getting on for the guys at the bottom. It’s a unique profile and a really, really good one to have in the middle of in order. It’ll definitely lengthen the lineup.”

The video games that matter are nonetheless weeks away, although. For now, Kirk’s able to get again to work in preparation for the challenges to return.

“I feel a lot better,” he stated. “Not as much stress (compared to) the last two weeks. I feel great to be here. I’ve got my baby and I’m very happy about that. Excited for the season now.”

More from Sportsnet

Composed Kikuchi in assault mode for Blue Jays as spring momentum builds

As Click joins Blue Jays, what function awaits World Series-winning exec?

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
hole: 20px;
}

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper a {
pointer-events: none;
cursor: default;
text-decoration: none;
shade: black;
}