Alejandro Kirk: All-World Team Selection for Mexico | MLB

Toronto, March 2, 2026

Kirk and Naylor Lead international stars as WBC Looms

The World Baseball Classic is just around the corner, showcasing a wealth of talent beyond Major League Baseball’s U.S.-based stars.

• Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk was selected to represent Mexico, largely due to his strong performance in 2025.
• Josh Naylor, who played for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners, will represent Canada.
• Kirk and Naylor both enjoyed triumphant postseason runs with the Blue Jays in 2025.
• Other notable players selected include Jazz Chisholm Jr., Andy Pages, Shohei Ohtani, and Edwin Díaz.
• The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins on March 5.

As the anticipation builds for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, a recent spotlight on international players revealed one standout from each country-excluding the United States-and highlighted Toronto Blue Jay Alejandro Kirk as Mexico’s representative. Kirk’s impressive resurgence in 2025 was a pivotal factor in the Blue Jays’ overall success.

Kirk’s breakout Season

In 506 plate appearances last season, Kirk posted a .282 batting average, a.348 on-base percentage, and a .421 slugging percentage, launching a career-high 15 home runs. While his weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 116 was slightly lower than his 129 wRC+ from 2022, his offensive contributions were undeniable. He finished with a career-best 4.7 fWAR, solidifying his place as a key player.

However, it was Kirk’s defensive prowess that truly set him apart. The 27-year-old catcher accumulated 9 Defensive Runs Saved and 22 Fielding Runs Valued, earning him a finalist spot for the American League Gold Glove award. Many argue he was the most deserving catcher, consistently demonstrating superior metrics since 2022.

Did you know? – Alejandro Kirk’s 4.7 fWAR in 2025 was the highest of his career, surpassing his previous best of 4.2 set in 2022. This demonstrates consistent betterment and value to the Blue jays.

Postseason Performance

Kirk’s impact extended into the postseason, where he slashed .254/.349/.493 with five home runs over 83 plate appearances, achieving a wRC+ of 132 and maintaining a 10.8% walk rate. One of those crucial home runs came in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

Naylor’s All-Star Caliber Season

Sharing the spotlight was Canadian first baseman Josh Naylor, who participated in the same ALCS series. Naylor split the 2025 season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the seattle Mariners, delivering a .295/.353/.462 slash line with 20 home runs in 604 plate appearances,resulting in a 128 wRC+ and 3.1 fWAR.

Pro tip – Josh Naylor is one of only a few players to win the Tip O’Neill award multiple times,recognizing his outstanding offensive performance while playing for a Canadian team.

Naylor’s postseason performance was equally impressive, slashing .340/.392/.574 with three home runs in 51 plate appearances for a remarkable 176 wRC+. His outstanding season culminated in being awarded the Tip O’Neill Award for the second time in his career.

Other International Standouts

The list of international stars also includes Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, outfielder Andy Pages, two-way