The former first-round pick has hung up the cleats.
Only hours after the Los Angeles Dodgers captured the 2024 World Series, the offseason began with some bad news for the Minnesota Twins.
First Twins news of the offseason: Alex Kirilloff announced he is retiring at 26 after his season-ending back injury. He played four big-league seasons with the team. pic.twitter.com/wlAaQufKTl
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) October 31, 2024
One of the top hitting prospects in the 2016 draft, Kirilloff was selected with the 15th overall pick by Minnesota, luring him away from a commitment to attend Liberty University. Despite injuries limiting his playing time in the minors, Kirilloff rose quickly through the ranks and made his debut in the 2020 Wild Card round against Houston.
However, the injuries that marked his time in the minors remained throughout his Twins tenure. In 2021 and 2022, Kirilloff’s season was cut short and he required season-ending surgery. While Kirilloff completed the ‘23 campaign, he underwent another surgery after its conclusion, and his ‘24 ended prematurely due to a back injury.
While it is disappointing that Kirilloff’s career has been curtailed so soon, his health must come first. We at Twinkie Town wish Alex all the best wherever his life takes him next.