Alejandro Kirk was confirmed by Mexico’s national team for the World Baseball Classic in March.
Kirk, who withdrew from the 2023 World Baseball Classic following the birth of his child, is expected to be Mexico’s starting catcher. Coming off the best season of his career, Kirk helped lead Toronto to within one win of a World Series title before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7.
Kirk posted a 4.7 fWAR in 2025, second best among MLB starting catchers. One of the game’s top defensive catchers, he also rebounded offensively after two subpar seasons in 2023 and 2024. He hit .282/.348/.421 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs. His 76 RBIs tied for fourth among catchers.
After not having Kirk in 2023, Mexico adds a major upgrade behind the plate with one of baseball’s top catchers. Mexico has already secured official commitments from Jarren Duran and Taijuan Walker and also confirmed Randy Arozarena’s participation.
Arozarena hit .238/.334/.426 with a career-high 27 home runs and 76 RBIs. He was one of the stars of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, posting a 1.507 OPS and leading Mexico with nine RBIs.
In a recent interview, manager Benji Gil said Isaac Paredes, Andrés Muñoz and Jonathan Aranda are also expected to join the roster but are awaiting final protocol clearances before their commitments become official.
Mexico made a memorable run to the semifinals in 2023 before falling 6-5 to Japan in one of the most memorable games in World Baseball Classic history. Mexico will compete in Pool B in Houston from March 6-11 alongside the United States, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil. The top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals in Houston and face one of the two qualifiers from the San Juan pool.
Mexico opens its quest for its first World Baseball Classic title on March 6 against Great Britain at Daikin Park in Houston.
Photo: Toronto Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk hits an RBI single in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game, Monday, March 3, 2025, in Lakeland, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
