Does Leo Jimenez fit into the Blue Jays' 2026 plans?

"Jimenez initially signed with the Blue Jays in 2017 out of Panama, slowly working his way up the organizational ladder. He has been featured among the Blue Jays' top prospect lists in each of his professional seasons, topping out as the 5th-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline) in 2022. Known more for his shortstop defence than his offensive game, the right-handed hitter reached the big leagues in 2024, slashing .229/.329/.358 in a 63-game sample."

"Coming into 2025, there was reason to believe that the Panamanian could carve out a bench role, but injuries limited him to just 44 total games split between the big leagues and the minors. Jimenez managed just two hits and two walks in 32 big league plate appearances, but he was swinging a hot stick for Buffalo before he got hurt. Across 71 plate appearances, he slashed .304/.437/.375, with an impressive 11:13 BB/K ratio."

"Defensively, he has mixed in at second base along with shortstop throughout his career, and has played almost as many games at second base (36) as he has as a shortstop (44) in the major leagues. It remains to be seen what the Blue Jays plan for the middle of the infield, with Andres Gimenez likely ticketed for the starting shortstop role and the future of Bo Bichette still in jeopardy. The Blue Jays have been linked to other players this winter, such as third baseman Alex Bregman, which could precipitate Ernie Clement shifting over to the keystone. At any rate, with the Blue Jays in win-now mode, there is a high chance that the team will go into the year with reliable veterans starting in the middle of the diamond."

Leo Jimenez signed with the Blue Jays in 2017 out of Panama and advanced through the minor leagues to debut in MLB in 2024. He is regarded more for shortstop defense than for offensive production, hitting .229/.329/.358 across 63 big-league games in 2024. He entered 2026 on the 40-man roster but is out of options. Injuries limited him to 44 total games in 2025; he recorded just two hits and two walks in 32 MLB plate appearances but hit .304/.437/.375 with an 11:13 BB/K rate for Buffalo before injury. He has experience at both shortstop and second base and will compete for a backup middle-infield role amid uncertain plans for the starting keystone positions.

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