DUNEDIN, Fla. -- With his spot in the Blue Jays’ catching competition and the most unique offensive profile on the roster, Alejandro Kirk is quickly becoming one of the biggest variables on Toronto’s roster.

Kirk showed just why on Sunday, launching a home run to left field in his first at-bat of the 10-4 win over the Pirates at TD Ballpark. Two innings later, he was scampering into second after doubling to right-center field.

Charlie Montoyo described Kirk as “competing for a job” prior to the game, but it didn’t take long to see which way that decision is likely headed. How Kirk fits into the catching picture is the clunkier part of the conversation, but for hitters with offensive potential like Kirk’s, teams tend to find a way.

“At that guy’s age, he’s probably one of our best hitters,” Montoyo said. “I know that’s a big statement because we’ve got a lot of good hitters, but he gives you a good at-bat every time he goes to the plate. You’ve all seen it, so I’m not just saying it. He really gives you good at-bats.”

Kirk skyrocketed from the low Minors to the big leagues in late 2020 at just 21 years old, hitting .375 over nine games down the stretch as the Blue Jays pushed for the postseason. The move was aggressive, but even then the organization believed in his advanced plate approach and bat. A hip flexor injury limited Kirk to just 60 games last season, though, during which he hit .242 with eight home runs and a .764 OPS. With consistent at-bats, there’s room for much more.

Now, Kirk is 23. He’s worked to improve his body, though he’s still a one-of-a-kind physical profile in the organization, and the plate approach that saw him walk far more than he struck out (94 walks to 69 K’s) in the Minor Leagues hasn’t gone anywhere. Add in a high contact rate and Kirk’s bat is built to move runners, either as a starter or as a fantastic bat option off the bench late in games.

“I just want to make the team,” Kirk said through a club interpreter following the game. “I know we have good catchers. I’ve been working very, very hard. My plan is just to make the team, then we’ll see what happens.”

Making the team should be relatively simple, but the makeup of the catching position isn’t. Danny Jansen will surely be behind the dish Opening Day. The 26-year-old finished strong offensively in 2021 and managed the staff well, so the Blue Jays are comfortable with their No. 1 out of the gates. Kirk would make plenty of sense as a backup who can DH, but tying up a backup catcher in the DH spot is risky if you're doing it regularly. On top of that, GM Ross Atkins called carrying three catchers “less than ideal” last week, but didn't dismiss it as an option.

Reese McGuire is also part of this picture and was singled out by Montoyo -- who rarely does so -- as a player who has stood out to him in camp. Toronto's No. 1 prospect Gabriel Moreno will force his way into this conversation very soon, and he profiles as the Blue Jays’ catcher of the future with All-Star upside, but his arrival in camp is delayed by visa issues.

The shortened Spring Training could still lead to expanded rosters to open the regular season, much like we saw in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but no decision has been made on that and the Blue Jays will need to proceed under the assumption of 26-man rosters. Regardless of how this shakes out, Kirk will need to catch, and he’ll need to do so well enough for the Blue Jays to trust him as a backstop. In 2021 he caught the majority of Robbie Ray’s starts, so there could be another situation like that awaiting him.

“There were definitely a couple of [focuses],” Kirk said, evaluating his offseason. “My receiving, of course, but the main thing I was working on was blocking. On one leg, two legs and the angles, I put a lot of effort in this offseason to make sure that I block the ball.”

After getting DH reps on Sunday, Kirk is expected to catch one of the next couple of games for the Blue Jays, which will be an important opportunity for the 23-year-old to show he’s capable beyond his bat. That bat, though, has the potential to lengthen a Blue Jays lineup that’s already stacked.