The Blue Jays should find more at-bats for Brandon Valenzuela in 2027. The rookie catcher just earned a Gold Glove finalist spot while playing part-time which could directly affect Alejandro Kirk.

He's up against last year's winner, Dillon Dingler, and Austin Wells, who has posted three straight seasons of double-digit run value. That's serious company.

Toronto landed him at the 2025 deadline from the Padres for infielder Will Wagner. He arrived with a reputation as a defense-first catcher.

His big chance came early. Alejandro Kirk went down at the start of April after a foul ball hit his hand and missed more than two months.

Valenzuela stepped in and hit. He batted above .250 in May and June with an OPS above .800 while catching nearly every day.

Then Kirk came back, and Valenzuela's playing time dropped to once or twice a week. The bat cooled with it.

A strong September makes the case for a catching tandem

He found his footing late. His OPS climbed above .725 in September, and he posted a 1.036 OPS over the final two weeks.

So how do you get him in the lineup without benching Kirk? Give Kirk more days at DH, or let Valenzuela start two or three times a week.

Kirk has earned the bulk of the catching. He's been the club's best defender by Fielding Run Value since 2024 and carries a fair contract through 2030.

But resting him more often has real value, especially after a season in which one foul ball cost him two months.

The rookie's arm also helps control the running game. That's a weapon on its own whenever he's behind the plate.

Toronto shouldn't burn the open DH spot on a catcher every day, though. That spot belongs to a real power bat, and Valenzuela's at-bats should come from smart rotation instead of lineup charity.

Two good catchers are like two good goalies. You don't bench one forever, you split the starts and keep both sharp.

He still has work to do at the plate. He was among the Jays hitters who posted a negative wRC+ in two-strike counts this year.

John Schneider has a rare luxury behind the plate. Whether he uses it wisely could decide how much both catchers give Toronto next season.