Twins: What can we expect from Alex Kirilloff in 2022?
Alex Kirilloff’s rookie season was cut short due to a wrist injury, but if fully healthy, the Minnesota Twins should expect a big year.
The Twins drafted Kirilloff in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. After spending multiple seasons in the minors, the former Pittsburg native finished hitting .318 (218 games), with 38 home runs and an on-base percentage of .366.
After a much-anticipated arrival to the big leagues, Kirilloff made his debut on April 14. He finally recorded his first hit after six games. That was not the start he was hoping for, and after the first month of the season, he was hitting .167.
April was just a fluke, and he was one of the best hitters on the Twins before getting injured.
- April: .167/.194/.400
- May: .283/.316/.472
- June: .279/.329/.430
- July: .226/.293/.377
That last month wasn’t very good, but you could see that the wrist was bothering him.
Kirilloff has the ability to become a potent home run hitter. If he stayed healthy, he was on pace for 20+ home runs.
As he gains experience and recognizes pitches a little better, that number will increase. For the most part, he did a really good job showing patience at the plate. He finished with a strikeout rate of only 22.5%.
You’d like to see his on-base percentage a little higher (.299), but for a rookie, he did fairly well at the plate.
It wasn’t just the offense, he also showed he can play exceptional defense. Kirilloff is a versatile defender, who can play right or left field and even first base.
In 29 games at first, he had a fielding percentage of 1.000%.
Miguel Sanó showed some promise at first by the end of the season, but Kirilloff should be the main priority.
However, there is a way the Twins can play Kirilloff every day, while giving Sanó and others playing time.
Because of Kirilloff’s ability to play multiple positions, Minnesota can rotate him around the field, which would allow Max Kepler, Luis Arraez, or whoever the day off.
Sanó can play third base if Josh Donaldson needs rest. JD may end up playing a lot of designated hitter this season, which I’d almost prefer.
Essentially, Kirilloff’s ability to play multiple positions allows him to play every day, and also give others the day off.
Minnesota is a much better team with him in the lineup because he can play both sides of the ball exceptionally well. If he plays a full season and hits .270, with 20-30 home runs, then the Twins may be able to compete for the AL Central.
