This Blue Jays infielder has been better than you realize

Save for the continued brilliance of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., it's been hard to find and highlight bright spots from the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup this season. Some of that is due to injuries, but even Alejandro Kirk and George Springer were struggling before landing on the injured list.

However, Andrés Giménez deserves his flowers for an all-around strong effort thus far, which has made him the most valuable shortstop in the AL East and the fifth-most valuable in the entire league.

The 27-year-old has answered the call at the plate and in the field, hitting .269/.301/.449 (109 wRC+) with three home runs and four steals while also supplying +2 Outs Above Average with his glove. If the Blue Jays are going to turn things around after their slow start, they'll need more of the same from their new franchise shortstop.

Blue Jays can't afford for Andrés Giménez's hot start to be smoke and mirrors

Here's a fun fact: Over the last five years, Giménez has hit one home run to the opposite field (in 2022). He's entirely dependent on pull-side power to provide offensive value, and he's seemingly rediscovered that timing here in 2026.

Or has he? He's pulling the ball at a career-low rate (32.4%), mostly due to this third-percentile bat speed. All three of his home runs this season are to right field, as expected, but it's a giant red flag that he's not pulling the ball in the air more.

Which is exactly why his expected slugging percentage (.350) is about 100 points lower than his actual figure. Someone who doesn't swing hard won't hit the ball hard, meaning Giménez will be at the mercy of his mechanics and timing to get out in front of pitches.

Though he'll probably never come close to replicating his 2022 breakout season -- he hit .297/.371/.466 (141 wRC+) with 17 home runs -- Giménez can still provide net-positive contributions from the bottom of the lineup. Even as his bat slipped to below-average territory in 2023, he managed to hit 15 home runs (while stealing 30 bases). Combined with his sterling defensive efforts, that earned him 3.8 fWAR for that campaign.

That's the territory the Blue Jays will need him to occupy his year. He's a terrific defender who can provide strong power and speed numbers for a shortstop. That has value, especially after Toronto just spent years weathering Bo Bichette's horrific glove at the six.

Right now, Giménez is on pace for roughly 5.7 fWAR. That would have ranked tied for fifth among all shortstop one year ago and well ahead of Bichette. Calling him an upgrade over the now-Mets star is probably wishful thinking, but there's no denying his value to this team... even if he may need a little boost from Lady Luck to keep this going.

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