Andrés Giménez running his way to the Mets
By Jose Romero
SURPRISE, Ariz. – Top New York Mets prospect Andrés Giménez jogged toward the visitor’s dugout from the infield at Surprise Stadium, ready to do an interview with a reporter.
In the middle of the first question, he stopped suddenly and said in English, “Sorry, we have infield. I will talk to you later!”
With that, the spry 20-year-old with the youthful face grabbed his glove and sprinted back out to his shortstop position. He’d already taken countless ground balls during batting practice, but he wanted to be sure he got in a few more before lining up for introductions prior to the Fall Stars Game.
Giménez hasn’t had much success at the plate in the Arizona Fall League, where he is playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He is making more of an impression with his glove and his speed.
“I’m working more on my infield defense,” he said. “It’s important for me to keep working on that aspect of the game. I’m playing some second base, too. I’m also working on my approach at home plate, trying to avoid bad pitches and do all the little things to get better.”
It isn’t as though Giménez’s game is all glove and not much bat. The Venezuelan was considered by many the top hitting shortstop prospect in his native country when he signed with the Mets in 2015 as an international free agent.
He hit a combined .281 and stole 38 bases in 122 games between Class A Port St. Lucie and Class AA Binghamton this past season.
This numbers helped get him an invitation to the prestigious Arizona Fall League.
“I think speed is something I have that I can show,” Giménez said. “I’ve worked hard to stay fast and to keep my legs healthy so I can run.”
East Fall Stars teammate Peter Alonso, another top Mets prospect, overshadowed Giménez with a towering home run in the showcase game on Nov. 3. Giménez was one of the first to congratulate Alonso in the dugout.
“It’s really great playing with all this talent. We’re all on the same journey toward our future, and it’s gratifying to share this experience with the other guys in our clubhouse and the other teams.”
While shortstop is where he’s played most, second base is where Giménez could end up with the Mets one day because Amed Rosario is the apparent present and future at shortstop.
“With so many other good young players it’s not for sure I’ll make it,” Giménez said. “But it’s been nice to get to know them and I just want to enjoy this experience day by day.”
Either way, Giménez is in line to join a tradition of major leaguers from his hometown of Barquisimeto, including fellow infielders Luis Sojo and Maicer Izturis. Giménez ’s inspirations growing up were sweet-fielding shortstop Omar Vizquel, former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and former American League MVP José Altuve.
“I’m so proud to represent Venezuela, like many big leaguers have,” he said. “I want to leave my name in a high place like the others have done.”
Giménez didn’t have to apologize for taking time away from his job on Nov. 3 in Surprise, but he took things a step further.
Back near the dugout moments after hustling in for a slow roller that he barehanded and side-armed to first base with a smile, he resumed the interview by thanking the reporter for taking time to talk to him.
“The games I’ve played this past year have made me so happy,” Giménez said. “It’s my passion to play.”
Featured Image: Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport