Who is Andrés Giménez?
Fans with little knowledge of the Mets minor league system were asking that question at the outset of the 2020 season. The 21-year-old shortstop had made appearances in Spring Training and was considered one of the top prospects in the organization, but most assumed that his big league arrival was years away. When the entire 2020 minor league season was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Giménez earned a surprise spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster. Though he’s just weeks into his big league tenure, Giménez has demonstrated the situational awareness of a seasoned vet.
The least surprising aspect of Giménez’s early production has been his exemplary defense. Giménez drew raves for his glove work in the minors, where his range and agility were praised by scouts. As described in his MLB Pipeline scouting report, “Giménez shows excellent range in all directions thanks to his combination of speed, first-step quickness, and veteran-like instincts.” He put together his best defensive season in 2019, a year that saw him commit just 11 errors in 112 games as one of the youngest players in the Eastern League (Double-A).
AFL Standout
The young shortstop’s glove was special, and while his offensive production in Binghamton was subpar (.250/.309/.387 slashline), his bat came to life in that year’s Arizona Fall League. Facing some of the most advanced prospects in all of baseball, Giménez hit .371 to capture the league’s batting title. He produced five doubles, two triples, two home runs, two stolen bases, and 15 RBIs…all in just 18 games.
That offensive breakout gave talent evaluators a taste of what Giménez could be, provided he continue to refine his superb bat-to-ball skills. The level swing, mature approach, and ability to spray the ball to all fields were all promising signs for a player his age. This year, Giménez introduced a new element to his offensive game: a leg kick designed to give him more leverage in his swing. The change paid early dividends; Giménez collected six hits in his first 18 at-bats of 2020 Spring Training — three of them for extra bases. No longer a pure singles hitter, Giménez is now a gap-to-gap hitter with the potential to develop even more power.
Dazzling Defense
Twelve games into his big league career, Mets fans can’t help but be impressed by what Giménez brings to the table. The defining element of his game is quickness, whether it be in the field, in the batter’s box, or on the basepaths. He’s already made an assortment of standout defensive plays, like when he robbed Marcell Ozuna of a hit in Atlanta. That robbery was jaw-dropping, and not just because it required cat-like reflexes and an insane reaction time. In order to make the catch, Giménez lept so far off the ground that his head was out of frame when the replay was shown on SNY. His pure athleticism has been a joy to watch, and he’s displayed a high baseball IQ as well. In the finale of a two-game set in D.C., for instance, he thwarted a Nationals rally by keeping a tag on Juan Soto when Soto over-slid third base. Giménez’s confidence in the field has been a refreshing sight for Mets fans, who have become all too accustomed to their team losing games because of sloppy defense.
Searle’s Final Say
In recent days, injuries to Jeff McNeil, Robinson Canó, and Amed Rosario have left the Mets short-handed in the infield. If there is a silver lining to these injuries, it’s that they offer Giménez an opportunity to start more regularly. Ground-ball specialists like Rick Porcello and David Peterson benefit from a strong infield defense, and the Mets are at their best defensively when Giménez is in the lineup. Giménez has also earned playing time with his performance at the plate; he’s registered just two strikeouts through his first 26 big-league plate appearances thus far.
As with any Mets season, the 2020 campaign has brought about its fair share of frustration. Rather than dwelling on the negative, however, fans should rejoice at the chance to see a dynamic young talent like Andrés Giménez in the early stages of his career. At an age when many prospects are overwhelmed by the weight of expectations, Giménez is evolving into a more complete ballplayer.
