Alberta native Kirwer chose baseball over hockey
Despite being raised in Canada, Sherwood Park Dukes alum Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) chose baseball over hockey and the soon-to-be 24-year-old outfielder is now entering his fourth season in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. Photo: Jake Bolin Moss
March 11, 2020
By Jake Bolin Moss
Canadian Baseball Network
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Sometimes exploring various opportunities isn’t always a possibility. In outfielder Tanner Kirwer’s case, just one chance was all he needed.
Growing up in Sherwood Park, Alta., Kirwer played both hockey and baseball. When it came time to specialize, he chose the diamond – with good reason.
“In Canada, if you're not outstanding at hockey, it's hard to go anywhere,” Kirwer said. “I think I was better at baseball and I think I made the right decision.”
Knowing when it’s time to shift your focus can be the difference between playing as an amateur and becoming a professional – but even after moving from two sports to one, Kirwer still struggled with the limited opportunities that followed as a Canadian baseball prospect.
“Coming out of Alberta, it’s tough to be seen by the big colleges (in the United States),” Kirwer said.
Instead he went to Tournament 12, a showcase event for young Canadians conducted by the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre that’s attended by college and pro scouts.
A scout from Niagara University in New York, a 90-minute drive south of Toronto, saw him.
“They were my only Division I offer,” said Kirwer.
Tanner played three years with the Purple Eagles with a composite .329 batting average and an .865 on base-plus-slugging average before being drafted in the 20th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.
Kirwer originally thought he was going to be wearing the pinstripes of the New York Yankees.
“My agent called, saying the Yankees were about to take me,” he said. “Then 10 minutes go by and I get another call saying to check the board and that the Blue Jays just drafted me.”
Tanner spent 2019 playing 52 games with the Lansing Lugnuts in the Class-A Midwest League, batting .260 with 18 stolen bases.
Along with dedication to baseball, the offseason was where the oufielder thrived in improving his game.
“The first half I really tried to bulk up. I was lifting a lot and I got a lot stronger.” said Tanner, “And the next half, I would usually work on my hitting, fielding and I try to maintain my weight.”