• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

Indians Giving Andres Gimenez More Time To Develop At Shortstop

By Steven Kubitza May 19, 2021 @kubitzawrites

Cleveland Indians shortstop Andres Gimenez (0) throws to first base for an out during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on April 11, 2021, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

 

The Cleveland Indians picked up an exciting 6-5 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels.

One player not around for the festivities was Andres Gimenez.

The core piece of the Francisco Lindor trade opened the year as the starting shortstop with fellow infielder Amed Rosario getting time all over the field.

Now it appears Rosario is the man at short as Gimenez has been demoted.

Announced corresponding move 22yr old (SS) Andres Gimenez optioned to Triple-A Columbus. https://t.co/0lA3bSgstu

— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) May 18, 2021

This decision also adds a new pitcher to the roster in Jean Carlos Mejia.

So why was Gimenez ultimately demoted at this point in the season?

 

A Slow Start

The 22-year-old did not appear ready to hold down an everyday MLB job just yet.

And to be clear, there is nothing wrong with that.

A wiser move may have been to just let him open the year in the minors, however, the fact the Triple-A season didn’t start until May likely played a part in that decision.

The team got to see Gimenez in game action instead of just training at the alternate site.

Before the demotion he was slashing .179/.226/.308.

As the numbers show, he was not exactly doing well.

Gimenez did hit two home runs, but also had 25 strikeouts in only 29 games.

We are still talking about a player with limited MLB experience.

The shortstop debuted with the New York Mets in 2020 and appeared in 49 games.

That is nowhere near enough time and it also came during a unique season.

The flashes of success on defense were evident.

He just needs to develop more at the plate and the front office had to know this was a possibility.

Expecting him to be a star right away is just not realistic.

It now appears the older Rosario will stick at shortstop while Harold Ramirez gets time in center field.

 

More About Mejia

It is interesting the Indians opted to go with Mejia over an outfielder like Bradley Zimmer or Oscar Mercado.

That speaks to the confidence the team has in Ramirez out in center field.

Mejia is a 24-year-old pitcher who could end up landing the fifth rotation spot over Sam Hentges.

For now he will start in the bullpen.

He stands 6-foot-5 on the mound and made the switch from reliever to starter back in 2018.

So far this year he has a 2.00 ERA in two starts down in Columbus and sports a career 3.84 ERA in the minors.

Mejia is the next logical choice after Hentges if the team wants to keep Cal Quantrill in the bullpen.

Logan Allen is continuing to try to work his way back and Hentges may even get one more shot.

But calling up Mejia, who is a starter, should indicate his opportunity is coming soon.

#Indians minor league leaders (SO/9) 9+ IP

Francisco Perez (Akron) 14.9
Logan T. Allen (Lake County) 13.5
Xzavion Curry (Lynchburg) 12.0
Jaime Arias (Lynchburg) 11.0
Jean Carlos Mejia (Columbus) 10.0
Alex Royalty (Akron) 10.0

— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) May 17, 2021

Continually cycling through fifth starters is not exactly fun for fans.

The Indians front office is hoping one sticks and Mejia could end up being a surprise success for the rotation.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily), Cleveland Indians News And Rumors (Updated Daily) Tagged With: Andres Gimenez, cleveland indians

About Steven Kubitza

Steven has been an Indians fan since the day he was born. Lucky enough to not remember the World Series losses in the 90s, he will never forget the magic and the heartbreak of Game 7 in 2016. He wore the No. 13 playing baseball growing up because of Omar and still rocks a Cody Allen jersey for good luck.

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Andres Gimenez,cleveland Indians News

indians logo

3 Indians Players To Watch During Spring Training

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the dugout after scoring on a Yasiel Puig (66) single in the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

Who Will Replace Francisco Lindor At Shortstop For The Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan addresses the crowd prior to the Opening Day Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on April 11, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in ten innings.

Should Paul Dolan Sell The Cleveland Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 21, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Carlos Santana, Kansas City Royals Reach 2-Year Deal

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 20, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Report: Indians To 'Aggressively' Listen To Offers For Francisco Lindor

2 years ago

A general view of Progressive Field during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 19, 2020, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Draft Trevor Stephan In Rule 5 Draft

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians on August 7, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Shane Bieber, Jose Ramirez, Brad Hand Named To All-MLB team

2 years ago

A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus

Cleveland Indians Top 3 Prospects Of 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians on August 4, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Top 3 Cornerstone Cleveland Indians Players Of The Future

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jefry Rodriguez (68) delivers a pitch to the plate during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 22, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Parts Ways With Pitcher Jefry Rodriguez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado (35) motions towards the Indians dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on September 17, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

2 Indians Players Who Could Have Breakout Seasons In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

2 Prospects The Indians Must Get From Mets In Lindor Trade

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians left fielder Jordan Luplow (8) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) after scoring a run during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on July 16, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Indians Players With Something To Prove In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (77) looks to the dugout as he makes a pitching change after Cleveland Indians pitcher Hunter Wood (54) hit by a ball off the bat of Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians on August 12, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Is It Time For The Indians To Begin Rebuilding For The Future?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado (35) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on September 15, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Bold Predictions For The Cleveland Indians In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) at bat during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates on August 19, 2020, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh PA.

3 Reasons Why The Indians Should Not Trade Jose Ramirez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch during the MLB baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins on September 11, 2020 at Target Field, Minneapolis, MN.

Shane Bieber Contract: What A New Deal Might Look Like

2 years ago

A Realistic 2021 Plan For Indians Prospect Nolan Jones

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Francisco Lindor (12) hits a solo home run during a Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals on July 27, 2019, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

Grading The Cleveland Indians Francisco Lindor Trade

2 years ago

cleveland indians fireworks

3 Reasons To Believe In The Indians In 2021

2 years ago

progressive field

A Look At The Top 3 Indians Prospects In Their System

2 years ago

indians logo

Cleveland Indians Sign Billy Hamilton And Ben Gamel

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) before an MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals on September 1, 2020 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

3 Trade Possibilities If The Indians Deal Jose Ramirez

2 years ago

Mitch Moreland (18) of the Red Sox waits on deck during the MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 21, 2019, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.

Should The Indians Pursue Mitch Moreland In 2021?

2 years ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.