Toronto Blue Jays infielder to play for Panama in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Leo Jimenez has committed to play for Panama in 2026 World Baseball Classic.
According to Francisco Márquez of Panamanian website El Siglo, Blue Jays infielder Leo Jimenez will represent his home country in the 2026 World Baseball Classic this March.
Other Blue Jays representing their countries in the WBC include Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Team Dominican Republic), Ernie Clement (Team USA), Alejandro Kirk (Team Mexico), and newly acquired NPB slugger Kazuma Okamoto (Team Japan).
Jiménez, a 24-year-old native of Chitré, Panama, signed with the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2017 and steadily climbed the organization's ladder, reaching the majors for the first time in 2024.
His breakout came in 2021, when the switch-hitting infielder put himself on the map by posting a .315/.517/.381 line with one home run across 242 plate appearances at Single-A.
That performance earned him a spot on Toronto's 40-man roster following the season.
Opportunity arrived in 2024 when injuries sidelined Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays fell out of the playoff race.
Jiménez was given an extended audition in the majors and appeared in 63 games, hitting .229/.329/.358 with four home runs over 210 plate appearances.
Congratulations to Las Tablas, Panama's Leo Jiménez on his FIRST career MLB home run!
Across the major and minor league levels, he set a career high with 11 home runs.
His 101 wRC+ ranked fifth on the team among players with at least 100 plate appearances, placing him alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Spencer Horwitz, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Justin Turner as Toronto's only above-average hitters by that metric.
Jimenez out of options in 2026, hopes to make Blue Jays Opening Day roster
The 2025 season proved far more challenging. Injuries and a healthier, more competitive Blue Jays roster limited Jiménez's opportunities.
He endured four separate stints on the injured list at Triple-A and logged just 99 plate appearances in 26 games for the Buffalo Bisons, where he still managed a strong .296/.404/.370 slash line and a 122 wRC+, despite not hitting a home run.
His time in Toronto was brief and difficult, as he appeared in 18 games, hit one home run, and struggled to a .069/.129/.172 line.
The 24-year-old is out of option years in 2026, meaning that he'll have to make the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster or be exposed to waivers.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 19|107 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays infielder to play for Panama in 2026 World Baseball Classic Do you think Leo Jimenez will make the Blue Jays opening day roster? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 36.4 % |
| No, he will be traded | 68 | 63.6 % |
| List of polls | ||