Battle for Blue Jays’ backup middle infield spot heats up

The Toronto Blue Jays have a few position battles to keep an eye on as their Spring Training schedule got underway this past weekend. One of the more intriguing competitions to track will be the one for a backup middle infielder if the team decides to use a bench spot for that role.

Currently, Leo Jiménez and Josh Kasevich are the main competitors for a utility infield position, and they both got off to solid starts in early Grapefruit League action. Jiménez, with some major league experience over the past two seasons, is considered to have a slight edge over Kasevich.

Battle for Blue Jays’ backup middle infield spot heats up

Jiménez played 63 games during the 2024 season and hit .229 with 11 doubles, four home runs, 19 RBI, and a .696 OPS in 210 plate appearances. Injuries limited him to just 26 games in the minors last year, but he swung a hot bat with the Buffalo Bisons, with a .304 average and .812 OPS in 56 at-bats.

The Panama native didn’t fare as well during a month-long cameo with the big club, managing just two hits (one homer) in 29 AB’s with the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old hit an RBI single during Sunday’s 11-10 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He’s known more for his defence, but has shown decent contact skills, with some power throughout his career. Jiménez is out of options, which means he would be placed on waivers (and would likely be claimed) if he doesn’t make the roster out of camp.

Kasevich got his spring off to a booming and surprising start on Sunday. After not hitting any home runs over 42 games of an injury-marred 2025 season, the former University of Oregon star hit a no-doubt, two-run shot to left-center field. As another player with a reputation as a glove-first infielder, with 10 career homers in over 1000 minor-league at-bats, the result was a pleasant start. Kasevich also recorded a base hit and scored a run in Saturday’s exhibition opener, although he was also charged with a fielding error.

Both Jiménez and Kasevich have been steady defensively otherwise, and it may come down to which one can produce more consistently with the bat. Both players came up as shortstops but could also capably play second or third base. If either one of them can hit enough, they could be an ideal end-of-the-bench contributor. 

The opportunity to compete for a roster spot is available thanks to a whirlwind offseason that saw the Blue Jays sign corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto and trade for outfielder Jesús Sánchez, but failed to retain Bo Bichette or Isiah Kiner-Falefa. All four starting infielders will be participating in next month’s World Baseball Classic, while Jiménez will also participate at the tournament, suiting up for Team Panama. That should give Kasevich plenty of opportunities to show he is worthy of an opening day roster spot, while Jiménez will be competing on a major stage with that same goal in mind.