Toronto Blue Jays latest acquisition puts pressure on former top prospect

The Toronto Blue Jays arrived at camp with few openings on the roster, but one notable competition remains: a backup infield role.

Leo Jimenez, once regarded as one of the organization’s top prospects, initially seemed to have the advantage given that he is out of minor-league options.

That picture shifted slightly on Feb. 18 when the Blue Jays claimed Ben Cowles off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, adding further depth to the infield mix.

Cowles does have minor-league options remaining, but his arrival creates direct competition with Jimenez for the final bench spot.

Manager John Schneider acknowledged that this spring carries added weight for the 24-year-old.

“Big spring, for sure,” said Schneider. “He did a really, really good job for us in 2024 and played a lot. Last year, not the way he wanted it to go. Certain guys, they get to this point and they’re out of options. They’ve got to perform a little bit, but I think he can really help us when you’re talking about a right-handed infield bat when you deploy lineups.”

Jimenez’s spring will also include representing Panama in the World Baseball Classic, meaning he’ll be away from the club for a stretch.

Schneider views that opportunity as a potential positive.

“For Leo, in his particular case, I actually think it’s a good thing to get his body moving, his motor, his game clock,” Schneider said. “Hopefully, he carries that over when he gets back here.”

Offensively, Jimenez is looking to rebound. He appeared in 18 games last season and hit .069 with one home run and one RBI.

The year prior, however, he posted a .229 average with four homers and 19 RBIs across 63 games, showcasing his value as a defense-first infielder.

Signed by Toronto as an international free agent in 2017, Jimenez climbed the prospect rankings and was rated the organization’s fifth-best prospect in both 2022 and 2024.

Still, translating that promise to consistent major-league production has proven difficult.

With no options remaining, the stakes are clear. If Jimenez does not break camp with the team, he would need to clear waivers, a scenario that seems unlikely given his age and pedigree, or potentially become a trade candidate.

Back in December, Keegan Matheson underscored the significance of this moment for Jimenez’s future with the club.

“Is Jiménez the Blue Jays’ next-best option in the infield? If he is, great,” Matheson wrote. “If not, they need to find one. Jiménez is still just 24 years old. But he is out of Minor League options and feels like the type of young player who would quickly get scooped up elsewhere if he’s exposed at the end of camp. … This will be a real decision for the Blue Jays. Jiménez’s game action in Spring Training will be as meaningful as any other player.”

For now, Jimenez appears to have the edge in the competition.

Spring training will ultimately determine whether he can secure his place, and his future in Toronto.

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