Minnesota Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Former MLB top prospect retires at age 26

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Oct 31, 2024 4:59 PM ET

A former top MLB prospect has announced his retirement at 26 due to injuries.

Alex Kirilloff, a first-round pick in the 2016 draft, announced on his Instagram Thursday that he is retiring. The Minnesota Twins outfielder said recurring injuries led him to the decision, including a lower back injury that cost him much of the 2024 season.

“In my nine professional seasons, I’ve encountered numerous injuries, which led me to search for new ways to overcome the pain,” Kirilloff wrote. “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.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex Kirilloff (@akirilloff19)

Kirilloff flashed plenty of potential during his career but simply could not stay healthy. At one time a consensus top-20 prospect, he played in 249 MLB games, hitting .248 with 27 home runs. He was never able to play in more than 88 games in a single season, which came in a promising 2023 season where he seemed to be on the verge of a breakout, posting a .793 OPS.

Injuries have been a running theme with many of the players the Twins relied upon to rebuild their organization. In addition to Kirilloff, Royce Lewis has struggled to stay on the field, and Byron Buxton’s injury issues are well-documented.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: