Jose Trevino’s game-winning HR for Yankees builds All-Star case over Alejandro Kirk

Without exaggeration and — truly — without bias, New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino deserves a more serious nod for the 2022 All-Star Game.

Major League Baseball is all about storylines, and Trevino arguably has one of the best of the season as we heard toward July. From his two clutch walk-offs featuring nods to his father (who passed away nine years ago) on his birthday as well as his son (on his fourth birthday) to the fact he leads MLB in Catcher Framing Runs to the moment he met his childhood hero Derek Jeter at “The Captain” premiere, you can’t possibly add more to this narrative without it sounding like a fairytale.

But that’s the reality. Trevino, who was expected to be the third-string catcher assuming Ben Rortvedt returned in timely fashion, now has the stranglehold over the starting catching job.

His defensive heroics and game-winning home run against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night further bolstered his resume for All-Star Game consideration over Toronto Blue Jays slugger Alejandro Kirk.

If we’re to look at the two, let’s compare Player A vs Player B to see who really should have the edge in late June.

• Player A – .304 AVG, .882 OPS, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 8 DRS, 0.7 dWAR, 4 Catcher Framing Runs in 60 games
• Player B – .283 AVG, 817 OPS, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 12 DRS, 1.0 dWAR, 5 Catcher Framing Runs in 45 games

Yankees’ Jose Trevino getting closer to grabbing All-Star Game nod

Trevino is Player B, in case that wasn’t obvious. But in 15 fewer games he’s managed to accomplish all of that, which isn’t trailing Kirk by much on offense. As of now, Kirk leads the catcher vote in the AL, but that could change in the next couple of weeks.

One could argue the biggest difference on the 2022 Yankees has been behind the plate with the Trevino/Kyle Higashioka platoon. That’s obviously not a factor in the All-Star voting, but it’s something to consider given the shoes Trevino was asked to fill after coming over in a trade with the Texas Rangers.

He’s making all the defensive plays fans were expecting from Gary Sánchez after the former Yankee’s first few seasons in the Bronx.

He’s been a positive WAR player on both sides of the ball, though, at the moment, trails Kirk in that department by a total of 0.9. Admittedly, Kirk has a convincing edge, but he’s had the benefit of being entrenched in the starting role while Trevino has accomplished most of his feats to earn his place on the depth chart.

But, again, the storyline. And there’s still time to make up ground. One home run and pick-off at a time …

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