Leo Jiménez just a couple of years ago was rated as one of the Toronto Blue Jays‘ top prospects. The infielder from Panama was ranked No. 5 in the Blue Jays’ system by MLB Pipeline. In 2023, when he was still playing at Double-A, Toronto rebuffed trade offers for the Panamanian shortstop at the deadline, according to the Toronto Star.
But now, Jiménezâs days as a Blue Jay may be numbered. A leading MLB analyst, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, projected last week that the once highly touted prospect would be cut by the Blue Jays before Opening Day, when the defending American League champions take on the visiting Athletics March 27 at Rogers Centre.
The now 24-year-old Jiménez “signed as an international free agent in 2017, has risen through the system by hitting for a high average while playing elite defense,” Mark Zwolinski of the Star wrote. “Jimenez signed for an $825,000 (U.S.) bonus and projects as a major-league shortstop.”
Jiménez Caught in a Numbers Game
Jiménez took time away from Blue Jays spring training to play in the WBC for Team Panama. But Panama was eliminated in pool play, mustering just a 1-3 record in Pool A.
He returned to Dunedin to face a crowded and highly competitive race to win a middle-infield job. But for Jiménez, the risk is greater than for his competitors. In 2022, the Blue Jays thought highly enough of him that they placed him on their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He has since bounced between the big leagues and minor leagues â burning his minor league options in the process.
That means if Jiménez fails to make the major-league roster, the Jays will have no alternative except to designate him for assignment.
According to Matheson, the outlook for the once-touted prospect doesn’t look great.
“Jiménez still has a shot at winning a reserve infield job here â and heâs out of options â but the Blue Jays are plenty comfortable sliding Davis Schneider in as a reserve, too. Keep an eye on No. 13 prospect Josh Kasevich as an option early in the season, too,” the MLB.com correspondent wrote.
Matheson projected that 2025 playoff hero Ernie Clement will win the starting second baseman’s job, as expected, with slick-fielding but light-hitting Andrés Giménez at shortstop.
What Happened to Leo Jiménez
If he is DFA’d by the Blue Jays, Jiménez could still end up back in the minor leagues with the Blue Jays. But first he would need to clear waivers with no other team putting in a claim on him. Next, he would need to voluntarily accept the minor league assignment.
His alternative would be to declare free agency and hope to sign with another club. That assumes the Blue Jays are unable to work out a trade for Jiménez before he hits the waiver wire.
So what caused the once-promising prospect to fall from grace?
The answer appears to be injuries.
“Leo missed a lot of time due to injuries last year, which kind of derailed his career some,” wrote analyst Tom Dakers of SB Nation last month. He played in just 44 games (counting the 18 he played in the majors). I think the chance of him having an everyday MLB job has pretty much disappeared (at least with the Jays), a utility role seems the best hope.”
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