What to expect from Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez in 2026
Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Andrés Giménez is positioned to take over as the Toronto Blue Jays’ everyday shortstop in 2026 after Bo Bichette’s expected exit via free agency.
There’s little doubt about what Andres Gimenez defensively, but his offensive outlook is far less certain following the poorest season of his career at the plate.
Since his All-Star breakout in 2022, Giménez’s offensive production has steadily trended downward.
After batting at least .251 in each of the previous two seasons, his numbers cratered in 2025, as he slashed just .210/.285/.313 over 369 plate appearances.
That performance translated to an OPS+ that sat 34 percent below league average, while his 70 wRC+ offered little consolation.
His value on the basepaths also took a hit. Giménez stole only 12 bases across 101 games after swiping 30 bags in back-to-back seasons.
A noticeable drop in sprint speed—nearly a full mile per hour compared to 2024—suggests recurring leg injuries played a major role.
If he can stay healthy, Giménez should bounce back as a baserunner. Reclaiming his form at the plate, however, presents a much tougher challenge.
Underlying metrics paint a concerning picture. His bat speed, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage all fall in the 14th percentile or lower.
While he struck out less often than the average MLB hitter, that advantage was neutralized by a modest 6.8 percent walk rate.
That said, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Giménez posted an expected batting average of .252, well above his actual results.
Even more encouraging, that figure aligns closely with his output in both 2023 and 2024.
For most teams, that level of contact would be perfectly acceptable from a bottom-of-the-order hitter, even if it comes with limited power.
His performance in key situations also stands out. Giménez recorded a .661 OPS with runners in scoring position and showed a similar knack for timely hitting in 2024.
During the Blue Jays’ World Series run, he delivered several pivotal hits—most memorably, his home runs in Seattle that may have kept their season alive.
Home Runs from the #9 spot in the starting lineup, Blue Jays postseason history
Ryan Goins (2015 ALCS Game 3)
Danny Jansen (2020 AL Wild Card Game 2 - twice)
Andres Gimenez (2025 ALCS Game 5
Ryan Goins (2015 ALCS Game 3)
Danny Jansen (2020 AL Wild Card Game 2 - twice)
Andres Gimenez (2025 ALCS Game 5
Gimenez's situational hitting can fluctuate year to year, he has consistently shown the poise required in high-leverage moments
If he can pair a higher batting average with renewed aggressiveness on the bases and a handful of clutch hits, his overall value rises significantly—especially when combined with elite defence.
Giménez’s three Gold Gloves highlight his brilliance at second base, and he looked more than capable at shortstop after sliding over late last season while Bichette was injured.
Andrés Giménez is putting on another defensive clinic, this time at shortstop. #BlueJays
Improved health could make him even sharper in that role. The All-Star version of Giménez who posted an .837 OPS in 2022 is likely gone for good.
Both the underlying metrics from that season and his subsequent performance suggest it was an outlier.
Even so, he still produced 2.8 fWAR in 2024 despite managing just a .638 OPS.
If Giménez can make even modest gains offensively and rediscover his speed, he stands to be far more impactful for the Blue Jays in the season ahead.
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