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Alex Kirilloff, the other first-rounder in Cedar Rapids, finding a groove

May 25, 2018 at 11:58AM
Alex Kirilloff. from New Kensington, Pa., during the home run derby at Perfect Game All-American Classic high school baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) ORG XMIT: CALI10 ORG XMIT: MIN1606091952200352
Alex Kirilloff’s big lefthanded swing was on display at a high school all-star game in 2015. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – Royce Lewis might get more attention after being a No. 1 overall pick, but the Twins have another first-rounder turning heads with Class A Cedar Rapids.

Right fielder Alex Kirilloff entered Thursday batting .325 with seven home runs and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .959, which ranked ninth in the Midwest League. The lefthanded hitter has impressive power, especially to the opposite field.

The Twins drafted Kirilloff in 2016 with the 15th overall pick, but he missed last season recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in his left (throwing) elbow.

"I feel good right now," Kirilloff said. "I definitely put a lot of work into getting back in the swing of things, so I think I got most of the rust off."

Kirilloff, 20, has been cleared to throw since November. Manager Toby Gardenhire said Kernels officials have kept a close eye on the suburban Pittsburgh native to make sure he doesn't have any setbacks.

"Alex is a great kid, another really good makeup guy," Gardenhire said. "He doesn't say much, he just goes out there and plays, and he does everything the right way. He's very professional and he understands his swing really well."

JOE CHRISTENSEN

Alex Kirilloff (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder Alex Kirilloff (19) slides into third base during a Midwest League game against the Kane County Cougars on April 21, 2018 at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kane County defeated Cedar Rapids 9-2. (Brad Krause/Four Seam Images via AP Images) ORG XMIT: NYWWP
After missing last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Cedar Rapids right fielder Alex Kirilloff has demonstrated impressive power. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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