'My story is far from over': Kirilloff cites injuries for retiring at age 26

Outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff, the 15th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and a former highly touted prospect, on Thursday announced his retirement after four seasons with the Twins.

Kirilloff, who will turn 27 on Nov. 9, produced a .248/.309/.412 slash line with 27 homers and 116 RBIs over 249 games in his brief career, which was plagued by injuries. The Pittsburgh native cited his persistent injury problems as a reason for his retirement.

“After nine seasons in professional baseball, I’m announcing my decision to step away from the game today,” Kirilloff said in a statement. “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.

“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.

“I am deeply grateful for the support I’ve received from my wife, family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff and fans throughout my career. There are so many people to thank, and I will personally thank them. Your belief in me made all the difference, and I will be forever grateful. I’d like to thank the Minnesota Twins for giving me an opportunity. The things I was able to experience, I’ll be able to take with me the rest of my life.

“As I navigate the recovery process for my current lower back injury, I’m excited to focus more on my family and explore new opportunities. While this next chapter won’t take place on the field, my story is far from over.”

After being drafted by the Twins out of high school in 2016, Kirilloff earned a spot on MLB Pipeline’s preseason Top 100 Prospects list in 2017 (No. 98), 2019 (No. 9), 2020 (No. 32) and 2021 (No. 26), but he was hampered by injuries in each of his four big league seasons.

Kirilloff made his MLB debut in 2021, hitting .251 with eight homers and a .722 OPS over 59 games before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist in July. He continued to deal with right wrist issues in 2022 and underwent another season-ending surgical procedure in August after playing just 45 games.

The left-handed slugger enjoyed the best statistical season of his career in 2023, hitting .270 with 11 homers and a .793 OPS over 88 games, but he missed more than a month with a right shoulder injury. He ended up having a bursectomy on the same shoulder in October.

Kirilloff made Minnesota's Opening Day roster in 2024, but he struggled early in the year, prompting the Twins to option him to Triple-A St. Paul in June. However, the team rescinded the option days later and placed him on the Major League injured list with a back issue. A rehab assignment was halted after one game due to back soreness in August, and Kirilloff didn't play again the rest of the year.