Alejandro Kirk is expected to play a key role for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, with the team confirming that he and Tyler Heineman will remain the primary catching duo, meaning Kirk will get the bulk of the starts. However, a new MLB rule set to be tested during Spring Training could present challenges for the Blue Jays catcher.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently announced that an automated ball-strike (ABS) system will be trialed during the upcoming Spring Training. This system aims to determine whether a pitch is a ball or a strike, with the umpire still responsible for making the final call.

Kirk, known for his exceptional pitch framing, could be impacted by the new technology. Last season, he was one of the best in the league at converting non-swing pitches into strikes, with a 49.8% conversion rate according to Baseball Savant. His ability to frame pitches has earned him significant praise, including high marks for runs saved through his framing skills.

As MLB explores ways to improve the accuracy of the strike zone—especially in response to growing criticism of inconsistent calls—the introduction of the automated strike zone will be closely watched. It will be interesting to see how Kirk adapts to this new system during Spring Training and whether it will eventually be implemented in the regular season.