When Andrés Giménez made the Opening Day roster, some were surprised that the top prospect had broken camp with the big league club. Under normal circumstances, Giménez would have started the season in the minor leagues.
Yet due to the cancellation of the minor league season, there was no place to put Giménez other than at the alternate training site or on the active roster and the Mets decided to give the 21-year-old his shot right away. Through 12 games, Giménez has quickly made himself indispensable, appearing in every game but one thus far.
Always known to be a defensive whiz at shortstop, Giménez has played great all over the diamond, quickly becoming the team’s best infielder. At the plate, Giménez has held his own, hitting .333/.444/.375, while only striking out two times in his first 21 at-bats. He also has two stolen bases, making it safely on both his attempts.
It has only been one week since Giménez made his first big league start, but a lot has changed in that week.
Once seen as a pinch runner and late-game defensive replacement, there is suddenly a lot of playing time going to Giménez, as the Mets infield has been ravaged by injuries. Jeff McNeil was scratched prior to Monday’s game due to back tightness, while both Robinson Cano and Amed Rosario exited that same contest with injuries.
We later learned that Rosario (left quad tightness) and McNeil (low-grade intercostal strain) are day-to-day, but Cano’s injury was more significant, as he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a grade-two left adductor strain.
Replacing him in the lineup is a tall task for Giménez, as Cano was red-hot prior to the injury. Still, this is great opportunity for the young infielder to show what he can do, as Giménez has flashed the tools to potentially stay in the majors for a long time.
While he has only started two games at shortstop, it is obvious to the eye that he is well-suited to play the position. Giménez is quick with great baseball instincts. He also has soft hands and a great arm, which is not only strong but also accurate. It is hard to see the Mets move Rosario away from shortstop mid-season, but if he can continue hit, Giménez may be the answer at the position long-term.
Prior to the injuries on Monday, Luis Rojas’ original starting lineup was very telling for how Giménez may be deployed over the coming weeks. Rojas planned to start McNeil in left field, with Giménez set to play third base. McNeil has struggled at third base this year, making five errors in just nine games played. Assuming McNeil and Rosario return to the lineup soon, we could see Giménez become the everyday third baseman, with McNeil playing second base or left field.
Regardless, until Cano returns off the IL, Giménez is sure to see a ton of playing time, giving him every opportunity to win himself a job for 2021 and beyond.
