2023 Blue Jays mid-season report cards with letter grades: Position players

As we prepare for the return of regular season baseball following the All-Star Break, it's a good time to review the Blue Jays' season to date, specifically giving grades for each of their position players.
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Boston Red Sox v Toronto Blue Jays / Mark Blinch/GettyImages
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Kevin Kiermaier: A-

We recently wrote about how Kevin Kiermaier should have been selected for his first All-Star Game. One of the best outfielders statistically of all time, he's continued in this vein in 2023.

From a Blue Jays' perspective, Kiermaier has a 0.988 fielding percentage and is tied for the team lead with a 1.5 DWAR. For the Majors as a whole, he leads all centre fielders with 13 Defensive Runs Saved, is tied for the second-most Outs Above Average at +10 and also second with a 18.1 UZR/150.

The 33-year-old hasn't been too shabby with his bat either, including being projected for the second-best batting average of his career and being third on the Blue Jays with a 2.7 WAR. Overall, as long as he can remain healthy, he has a big part to play for the team the rest of the way.

Alejandro Kirk: C-

The pressure was always going to be on Alejandro Kirk, after last year's All-Star season influenced the decision to part with top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno. Offensively at least, he has struggled up to this point in 2023.

Last year, Kirk set a whole host of offensive single-season bests, which resulted in him winning the Silver Slugger Award for AL catchers. While he still has what it takes to be a good offensive player, it is telling he is on course for the worst slash line and OPS of his four years in the Majors.

Interestingly, this decline is in stark contrast to improved play behind the plate, with the 24-year-old developing into a fine catcher. Blue Jays pitchers have a lower overall ERA with him compared to Danny Jansen, he is better at framing pitchers compared to his teammate (+3 to +1) and is tied first among all catchers with nine Defensive Runs Saved.