TORONTO — You could highlight several players and their contributions to the Toronto Blue Jays’ 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
George Springer produced a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning and then scored the eventual winning run on Nathan Lukes’ double down the left-field line that secured a series sweep. Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodriguez was solid in his 4.1 innings of work, while the bullpen mostly locked things down from there.
However, let’s go a little off the grid here.
The play that Leo Jiménez made in the sixth inning won’t show up in the boxscore and was largely inconsequential in the game’s outcome. But it surely won’t be forgotten by Blue Jays’ decision-makers when they make their evaluations this off-season.
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Everybody knows Jiménez is a skilled defender, but plays like this one only serve to bolster his reputation. The kid is a polished and is growing more confident by the day.
The Cardinals had a runner on first in the sixth inning when designated hitter Luken Baker slashed a chopper to second base. Jiménez laid out with his glove arm fully extended to field the ball but that was only half the beauty. With his left hip on the dirt and his back facing the second base bag, Jiménez shovelled a no-look pass to Ernie Clement who completed inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
It’s was another gem by Jiménez, who’s spent his brief time in the majors this season amassing impressive highlights.
Where Jiménez fits in on the 2025 roster next season will be an interesting question that the Blue Jays brass is faced with. There’s a logjam of infielders on the roster and there could also be changes that take place through trades or free agency.
Jiménez, though, is doing his part. In addition to playing excellent defence at second base and shortstop, the 23-year-old is providing a serviceable bat. He entered Sunday with a 105 OPS-plus over 52 games and added to that with a hit in three at-bats.
