Andrés Giménez’s Big Game Garners ROY Attention
The New York Mets won their first series of the season on Sunday, beating the Miami Marlins 4-2. A big part of the victory was the play of Andrés Giménez, as the Mets rookie scored three runs.
While Giménez was always considered to be an outstanding defensive player, he has impressed this year with his ability to contribute offensively. The 21-year-old is hitting .333/.371/.424, and is leading the team with three stolen bases. One of those steals came on Sunday, after Giménez singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the third inning.
Tomas Nido and Brandon Nimmo each drew walks to load the bases and then Giménez scored when Jeff McNeil grounded into a fielder’s choice. One inning later, Giménez hit his first career double and scored on a two-out hit by Nimmo.
With the Mets clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, Giménez showed his great baseball instincts and awareness in the field. Playing second base, Giménez backed up an error by Pete Alonso, preventing the speedy Eddy Alvarez from taking an extra base. Alvarez would end up on second just a few pitches later, when Nido let a passed ball get by him.
When asked about that play after the game, manager Luis Rojas raved about Giménez’s awareness.
“That was just a great play, heads-up. This kid is always a step ahead like that.”
After Jared Hughes worked through that inning unscathed, Giménez came up to bat as the leadoff hitter in the bottom half of the sixth, with the Mets desperately needing an insurance run. For the second time this year, Giménez laid down a perfect drag bunt, beating the first baseman to the bag for his third hit of the game.
He then continued to use his speed to manufacture a run, going first-to-third on a single from Nido; before scoring on a shallow sac fly hit by McNeil. While the old saying, “You can’t steal first base” is mostly true, a great drag bunt is as close to stealing first base as you can get.
Giménez has shown early on in his career that he has mastered the skill of drag bunting, which is one of many tools he brings to the ballpark each day. Anyone who has been watching the Mets closely this year has noticed the little ways that this rookie helps his team, but now the rest of the league is starting to notice as well.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, wrote an article after Sunday’s game about Giménez’s early case for Rookie of the Year. Giménez is leading all rookies in the National League with his 11 hits and three stolen bases. He is also second among rookies with his five runs scored. It is still early, but outside of Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth, you can make the argument that Giménez has been the best rookie position player in the NL.
“This kid is amazing. You watch him play, all the ground he covers at second, his I.Q. ahead of plays, his conversations in the dugout. This kid is always on his toes, physically and mentally.” Luis Rojas said when asked about Giménez’s candidacy for Rookie of the Year.
Rojas, who managed Giménez in the minor leagues, described him as a sponge that continues to learn and grow each and every day. Giménez is constantly asking questions of the coaches and veterans in the dugout about how to play in different situations, learning the best ways that he can help his team win.
“He’s out there, almost as the extension of a manager or a coach.” Rojas explained.
No one came into this season expecting to see this top prospect receive so much playing time, but Giménez is making the most out of every opportunity he gets.