Alejandro Kirk's offense is beginning to look like an All-Star again

Coming into the 2025 MLB season, the Blue Jays showed the world how much they valued Alejandro Kirk when they inked him to a five-year extension.

Now, a little more than two-and-a-half months into the season, Kirk's proven that value with a red-hot start that's reminiscent of his All-Star season in 2022.

Alejandro Kirk's offense is beginning to look like an All-Star again

That value was on full display over the weekend when Kirk went 5-for-7 against the Mariners before leaving Sunday's game with a head contusion. That span was highlighted by a 4-for-5 day on Saturday from the No. 5 spot in the batting order.

Kirk's the perfect No. 5 hitter for the Blue Jays, as he's a solid contact hitter who seemingly always puts up a competive at-bat. While he didn't drive any runs on Saturday, those will come if he continutes to get on base at a high clip.

He's now hitting .286 on the season with two home runs and 13 RBI, and also has some impressive advanced stats.

He ranks in the 91st percentile in squared-up rate (33.3%) and expected batting average (.287).

Kirk also adds some much-needed length to a lineup that seems to be coming out of its tough slump. Kirk was one of six Blue Jays who hit .300 or better last week, and the list features pleyers from up and down the lineup.

Addison Barger and Ernie Clement both hit better than .400 and they both hit behind Kirk in the order, so his production allows for them to hit with runners on base, which means they could see more pitches to hit.

And, on the other side of the lineup, Anthony Santander and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both hit better than .350 in front of Kirk, which means that he got more at-bats with runners on base.

When Kirk is hitting well, everyone wins.

At this point in his All-Star season, Kirk was hitting .255 with just one home run and five RBI, so he's already off to a better start than he was in that season.

All of this comes in the context of what happened on Sunday, however.

Kirk left the Blue Jays' win over the Mariners with that aforementioned head contusion after he was hit by a backswing from Julio Rodríguez. He was taken out of the game as a precautionary measure, which makes it seem like the Blue Jays might have dodged a bullet.

The Blue Jays have an off-day on Monday before they start their series against the Rays on Tuesday, so Kirk will get an extra day of rest that should hopefully help him in his recovery.

The Blue Jays cannot afford to have Kirk miss any time. While Tyler Heineman has been solid as his backup, that's exactly what he is — a backup. The Jays' offensive ceiling would take a bit of a hit if he was in the lineup everyday.

The Blue Jays' lineup is starting to find its groove, and Kirk's a big reason for that.