Blue Jays: Alejandro Kirk and Nate Pearson receive accolades
Toronto Blue Jays farmhands Alejandro Kirk and Nate Pearson both received organizational accolades for their individual success in 2019.
The Blue Jays named 20-year-old catcher Alejandro Kirk the Minor League Hitter of the Year for his efforts with Dunedin and Lansing in 2019. The native of Mexico hit .290/.403/.465 with 90 hits including 31 doubles and seven homers in 92 games (71 games Dunedin, 21 games Lansing).
The backstop also had an impressive walk to strikeout totals drawing 56 bases on balls while only whiffing 39 times in 372 plate appearances last season. Kirk is tabbed as the Blue Jays 12th ranked prospect organizationally by MLB.com.
In 151 minor league games, Kirk is hitting .315/.418/.500 with 41 doubles, 17 home runs and 89 walks in 619 plate appearances. The young backstop employs a professional approach with the stick while hitting the ball to all fields.
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Kirk is definitely a young talent to keep an eye on as he continues to climb the minor league ranks next season.
Along with the Kirk, the Jays announced their Minor League Pitcher of the Year and this one should come as no surprise to anyone.
Future ace Nate Pearson took home the honour after an impressive 2019 campaign in which he pitched at three different levels concluding the season in Triple-A Buffalo. Pearson who in all likelihood will make his MLB debut at some point in 2020 dazzled on the bump.
The big right-hander finished the season with a 2.30 earned run average while fanning 119 in 101.2 innings of work. Pearson is now ranked the Blue Jays top prospect following the promotions to Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Since beginning his professional career in 2017, the former first-round pick sports an impressive 2.19 earned run average in 34 starts. The fireballer has also struck out 146 in 123.1 innings of work.
Pearson has all the makings to be a front of the rotation starter for the Jays for years to come.