Alex Kirilloff announces retirement
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN – Former Twins first baseman/outfielder Alex Kirilloff announced today that he is retiring from baseball and has been placed on the Voluntarily Retired List.
Kirilloff, 26, hit .248 (198-for-799) with 40 doubles, five triples, 27 home runs, 116 RBI, 62 walks, two stolen bases, 92 runs scored and a .721 OPS in 249 career games across four seasons for the Twins. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was limited to just 57 games in 2024 due to a back injury, hitting .201 (32-for-159) with eight doubles, three triples, five home runs, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored and a .653 OPS.
Please find below a statement from Kirilloff:
“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.
“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.”
A first-round selection by the Twins in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft (15th pick overall), Kirilloff won the 2018 Sherry Robertson Award as Twins minor league Player of the Year, after hitting .348 (178-for-512) with 44 doubles, seven triples, 20 home runs, 101 RBI, 38 walks, 75 runs scored and a .970 OPS in 130 games combined between Low-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers. He made his major league debut for the Twins on September 30, 2020 in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros and went 1-for-4, becoming the first player in American League/National League history to record a Postseason hit before recording one in the regular season. Kirilloff was also the third player in AL/NL history to make his debut in the playoffs, but the first to start.