A surprise news drop this morning out of Minnesota, where Twins outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff has decided to call it a career just 10 days shy of his 27th birthday.
Kirilloff, who would’ve been heading into his second year of arbitration, was coming off a down and injury-filled season. As he explained in a long post on Twitter, it was just time for him to step away:
“After nine seasons in professional baseball, Iโm announcing my decision to step away from the game today. Baseball has always been a cornerstone of my life. Starting with my childhood in western Pennsylvania, where I grew up as the son of a baseball coach. Spending countless hours in the batting cages, hitting hundreds of balls daily, fueled my dream of playing Major League Baseball. Living that dream has been an absolute joy – and this journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, challenges that led to growth, and lasting experiences that have enriched my life beyond measure.
In my nine professional seasons, Iโve encountered numerous injuries, which led me to search for new ways to overcome the pain. These challenges have taken a toll on me mentally and physically; over time, Iโve realized that my passion for playing the game has shifted. Baseball demands an โall-inโ approach, something Iโve brought to every season. However, I can no longer give it the total commitment it requires. Iโve always believed that playing this game requires 110% effort, and anything less would not do justice to my teammates, coaches, fans, or the game itself.
I am deeply grateful for the support Iโve received from my wife, family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, and fans throughout my career. There are so many people to thank, and I will personally thank them. Your belief in me made all the difference, and I will be forever grateful. Iโd like to thank the Minnesota Twins for giving me an opportunity. The things I was able to experience, Iโll be able to take with me the rest of my life.
As I navigate the recovery process for my current lower back injury, Iโm excited to focus more on my family and explore new opportunities. While this next chapter wonโt take place on the field, my story is far from over.
With love and appreciation,
Alex Kirilloff”
This moment is a reminder of the humanity underlying this sport we follow. You never know fully what someone’s life and experience may be, and we have to be careful not to make any assumptions. Sometimes it’s very surprising to us on the outside to learn that a guy needs to step away from the game, even at such an early stage in his career. But sometimes it’s what the person needs, physically or mentally or emotionally or all of the above.
Kirilloff was a .248/.309/.412/99 wRC+ hitter across parts of four big league seasons with the Twins, after coming up as a top prospect who’d raked in the minors. His future was always expected to be a bright one offensively, but it seems his body never cooperated. All the best to him in whatever comes next.
As for the Twins, I suppose it’s possible they were going to non-tender Kirilloff in any case, so they may have been already anticipating a need to supplement with a lefty bat. A lot of change is happening for them right now, from the departure of long-time GM Thad Levine, and the Pohlad Family’s decision to explore a sale of the team.