Kirilloff's Poise Fits Baldelli's Mantra

[Nash Walker]

Alex Kirilloff’s pure left-handed swing is exactly what the Twins’ right-handed heavy lineup ordered. His demeanor will fit right in, too.The most pertinent story for the Twins in Fort Myers is the looming decision on Kirilloff. Will he start with the team on opening day in Milwaukee? Will he join them a few weeks later? No matter the call, he’ll be an instrumental part of this lineup for at least the next six seasons.

 

THE PLAYER

 

Kirilloff’s incredibly smooth stroke allowed him to hit a massive .317/.365/.498 in 279 minor league games. His 2018 season was historically good, furthering the belief that he’ll be a special player at the highest level.

 

The 23-year-old is a middle-of-the-order mix of contact and power. He’s an immediate infusion of offensive prowess. He showed the Twins Thursday just how ready he is, with an absolute nuke shot to center field off one of the better left-handers in baseball, Eduardo Rodríguez.

 

 

Kirilloff led the minors with 296 total bases in 2018. He accumulated 71 extra-base hits in 130 games. He struck out just 15% of the time with a comparably small 7% walk rate. For Twins fans who’ve clamored for more players to put the ball in play, Kirilloff is part of your solution.

 

He’s not a typical patient power hitter. He’s a grip-and-rip maestro with the bat. He ropes line drives into gaps and projects as a high-average weapon. His power numbers will ultimately determine whether he’s an above-average regular or a perennial All-Star, but AK is ready to contribute now with oodles of hits.

 

THE PERSON

 

In his two years as manager, Rocco Baldelli has preached the steady hand. He never gets too high or low, prioritizing a flatline through the six month, 162 game grind. Baldelli’s mantra was tested when games meant 2.7 times more in 2020. The Twins felt increased heat during a six game losing streak in August. Baldelli anchored the group under the same idea: one day at a time.

 

The Twins have built a team and staff that can survive and thrive through adversity over 162 games. Baldelli will continue to rest his players, to keep a loose clubhouse, and focus on one day at a time.

 

One would be hard-pressed to find a more calming presence than Kirilloff. He speaks with a soft tone, rarely inflects his voice and exudes an insane amount of poise.

 

Called up as the first player to make their MLB debut in the postseason, Kirilloff couldn’t have been more cool and collected. He had a nice game, serenly ripping a single to right and making a smooth diving catch in right field.

 

The AK era is here and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Twins need to remain steady this summer with an 18-game postseason losing streak hanging above them. You gotta make October to win in October. Kirilloff is going to help with that in many varying but equally valuable ways.

 

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[mnfireman]

Could really like watching that swing @ Target Field....

[mikelink45]

High hopes and the idea of a hitter who can get both average and power is really exciting

[jimbo92107]

If only we could think of a nickname for him...

 

Kirilloff reminds me of a laconic guy you later find out is a lead astronaut for NASA. The guy does not seem to be bothered by pressure. In the field he looks like he really knows what he's doing, almost like an old hand...Hrbek comes to mind. At the plate he pounds the ball to all fields better than anybody I've seen in a Twins uniform.

 

I say play him until he breaks, or until he's too old.

[Linus]

If only we could think of a nickname for him...

 

Kirilloff reminds me of a laconic guy you later find out is a lead astronaut for NASA. The guy does not seem to be bothered by pressure. In the field he looks like he really knows what he's doing, almost like an old hand...Hrbek comes to mind. At the plate he pounds the ball to all fields better than anybody I've seen in a Twins uniform.

 

I say play him until he breaks, or until he's too old.

Kirill the thrill? Oh wait......

[Fatbat]

Play the best players. Kiriloff starts in LF opening day in Milwaukee. Twins are set up to win now and compete for championships for years to come. Absolutely no reason to mess with team control when it's probable that 3 years from now they will sign him to 7-8 year extension.

[Dave The Dastardly]

Alexander the Great?

 

Killer Kirilloff?

 

Bat Man?

 

Karpe Diem?

 

Stop me at any time...

 

 

 

 

 

[strumdatjaguar]

Better nicknames coming

[strumdatjaguar]

Certainly, the Twins used to have a steady, mild-mannered guy who could crunch the ball like that. His unlikely nickname was “The Killer”, based on his name Killebrew. AK may be the current chosen nickname, but this player with a last name starting with “K” could prove himself deserving of a better nickname:

1. Killer 2.0

2. The Kirler

3. Kir-rilla

4. AK-19

5. The Great Alexander (with apologies to Grover Cleveland Alexander).

[PDX Twin]

He could wear #47 and put AK in the name slot.

[Tom Froemming]

The Steele City Swing (he's from Pittsburgh)

Alex "The Key" Kirilloff

Ice Cold Kirilloff

Kirilloff the Charts

[TopGunn#22]

Strum got it.

I was thinking AK-76 until I saw he had changed to number 19.

For me it's AK-19.  

I sure hope he breaks camp with the team.  Gonna be a real battle with the White Sox this year.  Need every win we can get and AK-19 will get us some.

[DocBauer]

Probably too close to Harmon, unless you allow some homage to be paid, but:

 

Killer K

[jkcarew]

I THINK he’s ready...but you wouldn’t necessarily know it by watching all his at-bats this spring. Now 3 hits (including the homer above) and a walk in 20 PA...and actually struggling to make consistently contact with 7 K’s now.

[dxpavelka]

I'm excited to see him but willing to let him get a big league hit or two before I go overboard with the superlatives.

[Trov]

 

High hopes and the idea of a hitter who can get both average and power is really exciting

I have high hopes too, but we have had a hitter with power and average the last 2 years.  His name is Nelson Cruz. Yes, a few of our guys have been all power no average or higher average no power, but Cruz has been both the last 2 years.  Your comment makes it seem like we have not had any high power and average guys at all.