Andrés Giménez has come on strong in August to earn himself more at-bats and more starts. On Sunday, the third-ranked Mets prospect delivered his biggest day yet.
Giménez tallied three hits, including his first double as a big leaguer, scored three runs and notched his first stolen base to lead
Andrés Giménez has come on strong in August to earn himself more at-bats and more starts. On Sunday, the third-ranked Mets prospect delivered his biggest day yet.
Giménez tallied three hits, including his first double as a big leaguer, scored three runs and notched his first stolen base to lead New York to a 4-2 win over the Marlins at Citi Field. MLB Pipeline’s No. 93 overall prospect is earning rave reviews for his all-around game, particularly from his manager.
"This kid is amazing," Mets skipper Luis Rojas said via video conference after the game. "You watch him play there, all the ground he covers at second, his IQ ahead of plays, his conversations in the dugout ... this kid is always on his toes. There's a lot of things he can do on the field that will help your team win. We're having fun watching him play. Every day he's learning more and more and his abilities are getting better and better."
Batting out of the eighth spot in the lineup, Giménez kicked off his day by lashing a bouncer up the middle in the bottom of the third inning off right-hander Pablo López. After utilizing his 60-grade speed to swipe second base, the 21-year-old moved to third on consecutive walks to Tomás Nido and Brandon Nimmo before crossing the plate on a forceout by Jeff McNeil.
Giménez followed in the fourth with a bouncer down the right field line for extra bases against Lopez, scoring two batters later on Nimmo’s single to left.
The infielder notched his third hit on a bunt single to the right side in the sixth against lefty Stephen Tarpley but was retired on a grounder to first in the eighth.
"I play the game that I know as a kid and as a professional baseball player,” Giménez said. “The game is basically just help the team to win."
The three-hit performance was Giménez’s first since Aug. 30 for Double-A Binghamton against Hartford.
“He wants to know what you’re thinking,” Rojas said. “He’s out there almost being like an extension of the manager, of the coach. This kid is always learning.”
Eddy Alvarez picked up the first three hits of his career in his fourth Major League appearance for the Marlins. The former short-track speed-skating silver medalist also notched his first stolen base.
In other action:
Padres 9, D-backs 5
Despite being no-hit for six innings, there was some good news for Arizona after a late rally fell short. Third-ranked D-backs prospect Daulton Varsho doubled in the ninth for his first Major League hit and scored on a three-run homer by Nick Ahmed. The No. 82 overall prospect finished 1-for-4 and is 1-for-9 in his brief career. Arizona's No. 17 prospect Andy Young slugged a two-run shot for his first big league tater and was hit by a pitch in four plate appearances. Padres No. 3 prospect Luis Patiño struggled in his second Major League appearance. The 20-year-old allowed two runs, both on Young's homer, two hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. No. 19 Jake Cronenworth continued his strong start with a pinch-hit double in his lone at-bat. Box score
Braves 8, Phillies 0 (2nd game)
Spencer Howard's Major League debut didn't go quite according to plan. Handed the start in the nightcap of a doubleheader, the No. 2 Phillies prospect surrendered four runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Howard (0-1) allowed homers to All-Stars Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr. that propelled the Braves to a sweep of the twinbill. Box score
A’s 7, Astros 2
Oakland's top prospect Jesus Luzardo (1-0) notched his first big league win in his second career start. The southpaw yielded two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while fanning five over 5 2/3 innings, dropping his ERA to 2.60 and his opponents' batting average to .217. Sixth-ranked Astros prospect Cristian Javier (1-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs in three innings. The righty surrendered three hits and two walks while punching out five. Box score
Royals 4, Twins 2
No. 63 overall prospect Brady Singer recorded his first Major League win after tossing five solid innings. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while fanning four. In four starts this season, Singer (1-1) has a 4.50 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP with 22 punchouts over 20 frames. Box score
Rangers 7, Angels 3
Right-hander Jonathan Hernández struck out one in a perfect ninth to wrap up Texas' victory. The Rangers' No. 26 prospect has allowed one hit over six scoreless innings in his last four appearances. In seven games this season, Hernandez has a 0.89 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .138 average. Top Angels prospect Jo Adell struck out in all four plate appearances and was charged with a four-base error after Nick Solak's fly ball caromed off his glove and over the fence. Box score
Mariners 5, Rockies 3
Fifth-ranked M's prospect Evan White drove in Kyle Lewis with a sacrifice fly to center field to ignite a three-run seventh inning. Rockies No. 12 prospect Sam Hilliard was hitless in four at-bats. Box score
Indians 5, White Sox 4 (10 innings)
James Karinchak kept his ERA spotless with a scoreless inning of relief. The No. 16 Indians prospect worked around a walk and fanned three. Through seven appearances spanning 7 1/3 innings, Karinchak has an 0.82 WHIP, 13 strikeouts and is holding opposing batters to a .143 average. Top White Sox prospect Luis Robert and No. 19 Danny Mendick went a combined 0-for-7 with a walk. Box score
Tyler Maun is a reporter for MiLB.com and co-host of “The Show Before The Show” podcast. You can find him on Twitter @tylermaun.
