The Twins thought they had a generational bat, but now Alex Kirilloff transitioned to a new career.
View More
Video Transcript
Alex Kirilloff recently spoke to The Athletic about his retirement, and the quote that kind of jumped out to me was, was this one right here.
Alex Kirilloff recently spoke to The Athletic about his retirement, and the quote that kind of jumped out to me was, was this one right here.
He said, “It doesn’t feel strange.
He said, “It doesn’t feel strange.
I’ve completely stepped away.
I’ve completely stepped away.
I’m really content with the decision.”
I’m really content with the decision.”
And that kind of tells you a lot about where Kirilloff is, mentally, because think about what he walked away from.
And that kind of tells you a lot about where Kirilloff is, mentally, because think about what he walked away from.
This was a top 10 prospect in all of baseball.
This was a top 10 prospect in all of baseball.
The Twins loved him so much that they threw him on the postseason roster in 2020 before he’d even ever played a regular season game.
The Twins loved him so much that they threw him on the postseason roster in 2020 before he’d even ever played a regular season game.
He went out there and singled off Jose Urquidy, becoming the first player in Major League history to get his first big league hit in October.
He went out there and singled off Jose Urquidy, becoming the first player in Major League history to get his first big league hit in October.
the future looked incredible, but what people, I think, tend to forget is how early his injuries started.
the future looked incredible, but what people, I think, tend to forget is how early his injuries started.
Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2017 season.
Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2017 season.
Then he gets to the majors in 2021, and the wrist issues show up.
Then he gets to the majors in 2021, and the wrist issues show up.
A first surgery ends his rookie year after 59 games.
A first surgery ends his rookie year after 59 games.
The second surgery is even worse.
The second surgery is even worse.
They literally had to break a bone in Kirilloff’s arm to try to fix the problem, and that’s when he said the first time he started thinking about life after baseball.
They literally had to break a bone in Kirilloff’s arm to try to fix the problem, and that’s when he said the first time he started thinking about life after baseball.
He was 24 years old at that time.
He was 24 years old at that time.
He fights back in 2023.
He fights back in 2023.
He puts up career highs in homers and RBIs, and it looks like he’s finally turning the corner.
He puts up career highs in homers and RBIs, and it looks like he’s finally turning the corner.
Then a torn labrum knocks him off the playoff roster.
Then a torn labrum knocks him off the playoff roster.
Then in 2024, it’s his back, a slipped vertebrae, and that is the one that finally ends it.
Then in 2024, it’s his back, a slipped vertebrae, and that is the one that finally ends it.
Seven trips to the injured list, three surgeries, 249 career games.
Seven trips to the injured list, three surgeries, 249 career games.
He’s 26 years old, and he’s done.
He’s 26 years old, and he’s done.
I respect, Kirilloff and the way that he handled it.
I respect, Kirilloff and the way that he handled it.
He didn’t make a rash decision, I guess.
He didn’t make a rash decision, I guess.
He saw three different back specialists.
He saw three different back specialists.
He talked to his family.
He talked to his family.
He gave himself time, and when he told the Twins coaches, they understood it.
He gave himself time, and when he told the Twins coaches, they understood it.
They just asked him to make sure he wasn’t rushing into anything, and it seems like he wasn’t.
They just asked him to make sure he wasn’t rushing into anything, and it seems like he wasn’t.
He’s out in Fort Myers now doing real estate.
He’s out in Fort Myers now doing real estate.
He’s spending time with his wife, and he has two daughters.
He’s spending time with his wife, and he has two daughters.
His former teammates say that he seems genuinely happy, and when you hear him talk about having that new passion to dive into and wanting to be as healthy as possible, you can tell that this wasn’t a guy who just gave up on baseball.
His former teammates say that he seems genuinely happy, and when you hear him talk about having that new passion to dive into and wanting to be as healthy as possible, you can tell that this wasn’t a guy who just gave up on baseball.
this is a guy whose body just gave up on him, and he was smart enough to accept it and move forward.
this is a guy whose body just gave up on him, and he was smart enough to accept it and move forward.
Not every prospect story has a happy ending.
Not every prospect story has a happy ending.
so shout out to Kirilloff.
so shout out to Kirilloff.
I’m glad that he’s found something, and, there’s just something to be said for him walking away on his own terms.
I’m glad that he’s found something, and, there’s just something to be said for him walking away on his own terms.