Andres Gimenez/Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen has announced top prospect Andres Gimenez will begin the 2019 season with Double-A Binghamton.

Gimenez, 20, played the final 37 games of the 2018 season with Binghamton. In those games, he hit .277/.344/.358 with nine doubles, a triple, and 16 RBI. He was also successful in 10 of his 13 stolen base attempts.

On the surface it may appear as if he struggled. Of course, this was a very short sample size. Other important considerations was his 100 wRC+ and the fact he was the youngest player in the league being 5.3 years younger than the Eastern League average.

With him repeating Binghamton, big things will be expected of him. Big things are also expected after leaving a strong impression during Spring Training. In fact, Mets manager Mickey Callaway said of Gimenez, “We saw him make a great play, he hit that homer. He settled in nicely. He’s a great player. He gained a lot of experience this spring so if he gets the chance to come up and help us out this year in the major leagues he’s gonna be ready.”

Certainly, Gimenez will get additional experience in Binghamton. He will also steer clear of the infield logjam in Syracuse with Gavin Cecchini, Luis Guillorme, Dilson Herrera, and David Thompson likely ticketed to begin the season there.

One consideration going forward with Gimenez this year will be what position he plays. At the moment, he is blocked at second by Robinson Cano and short by Amed Rosario.

During the Arizona Fall League, he would play more second base than shortstop. However, that was before the Mets had acquired Cano in a blockbuster deal with the Mariners.

For the moment, Gimenez’s focus will be improving as a player in Binghamton. If he develops and improves this season like he has in year’s past, we may see him in Queens sooner rather than later.