Davis Schneider or Leo Jiménez, Blue Jays will announce final bench spot on Wednesday

The Toronto Blue Jays have a decision to make today as Opening Day approaches.

Both Davis Schneider and Leo Jimenez are currently with the team, but only one will secure the final spot on the bench.

Schneider endured a rough start to the 2025 season, hitting just .067/.333/.067 across his first 21 plate appearances before being optioned to the minors with the Buffalo Bisons.

His stint in Buffalo didn't immediately turn heads, but things changed once he rejoined Toronto on June 1.

From that point on, Schneider settled into a productive bench role, posting a .249/.364/.468 slash line with 11 home runs over 206 plate appearances.

He also delivered a memorable moment in the postseason, launching a leadoff home run in Game 5 of the World Series.

Schneider's ability to contribute offensively while providing defensive flexibility in both left field and second base gives him a slight edge in this competition.

Jiménez presents a different kind of challenge for the front office. Unlike Schneider, he is out of minor league options.

If he doesn't make the roster, the Blue Jays would need to designate him for assignment and expose him to waivers-where he would likely be claimed by another team.

While Jiménez's prospect stock has dipped in recent years, he has shown gradual improvement in power between 2021 and 2024.

He also held his own during his time with Toronto in 2024, hitting .229/.329/.358 with four home runs in 210 plate appearances.

Defensively, Jiménez offers value as well. Though he has no experience in the outfield, he is a reliable shortstop and can also handle second base.

Neither player made a strong case during Spring Training. Jiménez posted a .231/.310/.231 line without a home run in 29 plate appearances, though he did record a new personal best in maximum exit velocity.

Schneider struggled even more, hitting .132/.277/.132 with no home runs in 47 plate appearances.

When factoring in Jiménez's injury-plagued 2025 campaign, it becomes difficult to justify choosing him over Schneider based purely on performance.

Much of the debate ultimately comes down to roster flexibility-Schneider can still be optioned, while Jiménez cannot.

Even so, performance and fit should carry the most weight. Based on that, Schneider appears to be the better choice to claim the Blue Jays' final bench spot.

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