Over the past few seasons, Alejandro Kirk has steadily emerged as one of MLB's standout catchers. The Toronto Blue Jays' backstop truly made a name for himself in 2022 with an All-Star performance, hitting .285/.372/.415, belting 14 home runs, and posting a 4.7 fWAR season.
Since 2023, Kirk has accumulated a 9.7 fWAR, ranking him fifth among catchers in the league. His 103 wRC+ and 62.5 defensive fWAR underscore his all-around impact. FanGraphs sees Kirk continuing this trend in 2026, projecting him to be as valuable to the Blue Jays as Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Both Kirk and Guerrero are projected to finish the season with 4.9 fWAR, albeit through different strengths. Guerrero is expected to contribute 38.0 offensive fWAR, though his defensive projection of -13.6 tempers that value. On the other hand, Kirk's balanced game shines with an 8.1 offensive fWAR and an impressive 14.6 on defense.
Their plate discipline is another parallel. Kirk is projected with a 10.2% walk rate, close to Guerrero's 11.4%. Both players are expected to keep their strikeout numbers low, with Kirk at a 12.1% K-rate and Guerrero at 13.6%.
Looking at their offensive projections, Kirk is expected to post a 117 wRC+ with a .273/.350/.423 slash line and 15 home runs over 125 games. Guerrero, meanwhile, is projected for a 149 wRC+, a .295/.380/.522 slash line, and 34 home runs in 157 games.
For Kirk, 125 games is a sensible estimate, considering he played 130 games last year. He did experience a late-season dip in performance before heating up again in the playoffs. Managing his workload will be key, given the demands of his position.
Guerrero, on the other hand, is a model of consistency and durability. Last season, he played in 156 games, matching his lowest total since his debut in 2019. With Bo Bichette no longer in Toronto, Guerrero stands as the franchise's cornerstone.
It's noteworthy that the Blue Jays have locked in both Kirk and Guerrero with recent extensions, signaling their importance to the team's future. Kirk is signed through 2030, while Guerrero's deal stretches even further. These two are poised to lead the charge for Toronto in 2026 and beyond.