Twins add Kirilloff for MLB debut in playoffs

Alex Kirilloff thrived in his last postseason appearance. He'll get a chance under an even brighter spotlight.

The Twins have added MLB Pipeline's No. 27 overall prospect to their roster for the Wild Card Series against the Astros, which began Tuesday afternoon with a 4-1 loss.

"Alex Kirilloff is ready to play in the big leagues," Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters. "I don’t think anyone, anybody who has ever spent any time around him, knows him, watched him this year over in St. Paul, would question that. It’s a move that once you get a chance to know the player and the person, you’re excited to make."

Kirilloff spent the entire regular season at the Twins' alternate training site in St. Paul but was not called up during the 60-game schedule. However, Josh Donaldson suffered a calf injury that forced him to miss the final two games of the regular season, and the veteran third baseman was left off the Wild Card Series roster, leaving an opening for Kirilloff. The prospect also needs to be added to the 40-man roster.

Kirilloff -- a left-handed-hitting outfielder/first baseman -- was a first-round pick by the Twins back in 2016. He missed all of what would have been his first full season in 2017 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Pittsburgh-area native rebounded nicely the following year and hit .348/.392/.578 with 20 homers in 130 games between Class A Cedar Rapids and Class A Advanced Fort Myers. His 71 extra-base hits led the Minor Leagues in the 2018 season. Kirilloff's 2019 was plagued by wrist issues that limited him to 92 games and a .282/.343/.413 line and nine homers for Double-A Pensacola. However, he looked better as the season wore on and he got further away from the wrist injuries; five of his nine homers came after August, and he went 8-for-21 (.381) with four more dingers in the Southern League playoffs.

By all indications, Kirilloff hit well at the alternate site, prompting the Twins to feel comfortable giving him his first taste of the Majors in such a big spot. His hit and power tools both have above-average potential, with the former being slightly ahead of the latter. He's spent most of his time in the Minors in right field but played 35 games at first base in 2019.

"I was really surprised," Kirilloff said of the promotion. "Definitely happy and excited for the opportunity. We've stayed ready all summer. It’s really the same thing. If there is an opportunity and we're needed, our job is to stay ready and do our best."

If Kirilloff does appear in a game against the Astros, the Twins' No. 2 prospect will become the first player in team history to make his debut in the postseason.

Rays add McClanahan: The Twins aren't the only team trusting players with no Major League experience in the Wild Card round. Tampa Bay announced Tuesday that No. 6 prospect Shane McClanahan made its initial postseason roster. The 23-year-old left-hander posted a 3.36 ERA with 154 strikeouts over 120 1/3 innings across three levels last season. McClanahan, drafted 31st overall out of the University of South Florida in 2018, sits in the mid- to upper-90s and flashes an above-average slider. He'll work out of the bullpen.

McCormick could blast off for Astros: The Minnesota-Houston series could feature not one but two Major League debuts. The Astros announced that No. 24 prospect Chas McCormick had made their Wild Card Series roster ahead of Game 1 on Tuesday. The 25-year-old outfielder hit .269/.389/.432 with 14 homers and 16 stolen bases between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock in 2019. He's considered an above-average fielder and has experience playing all three outfield spots. His run tool is rated 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale by MLB Pipeline.