Kirilloff Retires at 26

Kirilloff Retires at 26

Minnesota Twins outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff is calling it a career at age 26. He announced the news via his personal Instagram account, with the Twins posting about it soon after.

Alex Kirilloff has decided to retire from the game of baseball.

We thank him for his 9 years in the Twins organization and wish him nothing but the best on his future endeavors! pic.twitter.com/R7d1zQh8cD

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 31, 2024

The Twins drafted Kirilloff with the 15th pick of the 2016 MLB draft. He spent his whole career there, which ended up being just four seasons long. His played in just 249 games, during which he had a .248/.309/.412 slash line with 27 home runs and 116 RBIs. Alex said that his constant injury problem was the main reason for his retirement.

Alex Says Goodbye

Per his Instagram post, Kirilloff said, “After nine seasons in professional baseball, I’m announcing my decision to step away from the game today. Baseball has always been a cornerstone of my life. Starting with my childhood in western Pennsylvania, where I grew up as the son of a baseball coach. Spending countless hours in the batting cages, hitting hundreds of balls daily, fueled my dream of playing Major League Baseball. Living that dream has been an absolute joy — and this journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, challenges that led to growth and lasting experiences that have enriched my life beyond measure.”

Kirilloff continued, “During my career, I’ve encountered numerous injuries, which led me to search for new ways to overcome the pain constantly. These challenges have taken a toll on me mentally and physically; over time, I’ve realized that my passion for playing the game has shifted. Baseball demands an ‘all-in’ approach, something I’ve brought to every season. However, I can no longer give it the total commitment it requires. I’ve always believed that playing this game requires 110% effort, and anything less would not do justice to my teammates, coaches, fans or the game itself.”

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Kirilloff was one of the highest touted Twins prospects of all time. This is truly one of the saddest what-ifs in the history of the Minnesota Twins franchise. This is just another thing to add to the Everest-esque mountain of pain this fanbase has endured over the years.

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