Alejandro Kirk

It would be worrisome if 2022 ends up being Kirk's offensive peak, but it is certainly looking that way after a second consecutive disappointing season at the plate. He did not hit his second homer of the season until June, and his third did not come until August. By season's end, Kirk had managed to score just 23 times despite a .319 OBP and 386 plate appearances. The last player to score so few runs with that playing time was Miguel Cabrera over the last two seasons of his career, as he scored a total of 46 times over that two-year span. Kirk continues to have excellent strike-zone discipline and puts the ball in play, which is why he is in the top 20 for grounding into double plays despite much fewer plate appearances than those in front of him on that list. Kirk remains an excellent defensive presence behind the plate with his framing and blocking abilities, even as the league takes liberties running against him with 60 or more steals allowed in each of the last two seasons. The starting catcher job is his to keep, as the organization does not have anyone banging down the door, especially with the departure of Danny Jansen. The opportunity is there for Kirk, but he needs to end this two-year run of disappointing production.