New Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andrés Giménez has grabbed the attention of his peers for his work with a glove.
In a player survey conducted by MLB.com this spring, Giménez tied with Francisco Lindor — who he was traded for in 2021 — atop the rankings as the top defensive player in baseball.
Rare as it is for a second baseman to check in on a list like this, Giménez has the résumé to back up the selection.
The 26-year-old has won the last three Gold Gloves at second base in the American League and was awarded the AL's Platinum Glove in 2023 as the junior circuit's top defender.
“Now that he’s not in the division, maybe I’ll actually get a hit when we play Cleveland,” an anonymous AL second baseman said in the survey.
Since becoming a regular in 2020, Giménez ranks second among all players in defensive runs saved with 58 and fourth in outs above average with 50. He is by far the leader in both stats at second base in the same timeframe.
“He could be at any infield position and be elite,” a National League starting pitcher said to MLB.com. “The fact that he’s a second baseman, I think he gets overlooked.”
Beyond Giménez and Lindor, Kansas City Royals shortstop and San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey rounded out the top five in the survey.
Blue Jays Gold Glove centre fielder Daulton Varsho was among the 20 other players to receive votes.
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