Although manager Luis Rojas will not name a starter, Andres Gimenez has clearly overtaken Amed Rosario as the New York Mets starting shortstop. Gimenez has seen the bulk of the time at shortstop this month forcing Rosario to the bench. He has done it with his bat as well as his glove. With a shortened season and every game meaning so much more, Rojas had to make a decision to better the team.
Andres Gimenez
In September, Gimenez has had three multi-hit games and has also displayed his great defense with about half a dozen spectacular plays at shortstop. Gimenez has also started to hit for more power as Gimenez has two home runs this season and is hitting .333 in September with eight RBI and nine runs scored.
Gimenez, the Mets number three ranked prospect coming into the season made the opening day roster but was mainly going to be used as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement. He has exceeded expectations with the Mets who also have their number one ranked prospect Ronny Mauricio currently playing shortstop. However, Gimenez has shown he can play both second and third base if needed.
Amed Rosario
Rosario has received occasional playing time after his strong performance on September 3rd against the New York Yankees. However, he has taken a step back after a solid end to the 2019 season. Through 120 at-bats, Rosario is hitting .250 with only three home runs and 13 RBI’s. He also only has three walks and has been unable to take the next step as a consistent base stealer.
The Mets expected Rosario to be either a leadoff hitter or bat ninth but Rosario struggled in those areas. His biggest hit of the season came as a pinch hitter when he hit a walk-off home run against the Yankees. Rosario did not help his cause by getting picked off first base with the Mets trailing by one run to end the game this past Saturday against the Blue Jays.
Moving Forward
It would not be surprising to see Gimenez continue to get plenty of playing time for the rest of the season. On days where Robinson Cano is the designated hitter, it allows the Mets to play both Gimenez and Rosario. With only 13 games left the Mets are currently not in a playoff spot and Rojas will need to use his best players to try to win every game for the rest of the season.
The Mets have also yet to use Gimenez as a leadoff hitter. While he is still young and gaining valuable experience, the rookie has many traits to be a strong leadoff hitter. Rojas has yet to find that consistent top of the order bat, and potentially, Gimenez can be that.
With only two weeks left, Gimenez is in the discussion for the Rookie of the Year. The Mets have seen a lot of Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies, who is one of the front runners. Gimenez’s teammate David Peterson will likely relieve some votes, but Sixto Sanchez and Dustin May have been two of the best rookie pitchers in the NL.
In any event, the Mets have a great future at shortstop. Gimenez has been one of the few bright spots for New York this season as they hope to end their three-year playoff drought. This will need to start Tuesday night when the Mets face the Phillies in a pivotal three-game series.
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