Guardians schedule This was supposed to be a rebuilding year. It turned into a division championship and Cleveland’s first playoff victory since 2017. Andres Gimenez’s emergence is a big factor in that.
CLEVELAND — Eighteen hours before Francisco Lindor was scheduled to play shortstop for New York Mets in their wild card series opener, the second pitch in Cleveland on Friday afternoon was a rocket-of-a-one-hopper that knocked Andres Gimenez, Cleveland’s second baseman, backwards and onto his rear.
Guardians schedule:He did the same thing with verve as usual, and he rose up to make the play.
After the Guardians beat Tampa Bay 2-1, Gimenez stated, “What can you say?” Emmanuel Clase was the closer, Shane Bieber’s brilliance, Jose Ramirez’s power, and Gimenez’s keystone combination of Gimenez, shortstop Amed Rosario.
Gimenez exclaimed, “It was rocket!” With a small laugh that was more of a sigh of relief than a laugh, Gimenez added. “I was prepared for it. It’s important to make such a catch in order to help your team during the first inning.
This day seemed like it was only two years ago for Cleveland baseball fans. The ball club was unable to agree with Lindor and sent him to the Mets on January 7, 2021 for four players. Rosario and Gimenez were two of the players. He was a four-time All-Star, and was immensely popular in the clubhouse as well as around town. His departure left a gaping hole.
It wasn’t a great year for it as Gimenez (Cleveland’s Opening Day shortstop) struggled offensively in the first six weeks of the season and was sent to Class AAA Columbus where he remained for almost two months.
It didn’t look like it was going to close by Opening Day this Year, as Rosario dropped a flyball in left field to begin the bottom of the fifth in a 3-1 Guardians defeat.
It ended up closing significantly because a young and raw team grew much faster than expected. Gimenez, 24 years old, has had one of the most remarkable seasons in club history.
Guardians schedule:Behind Shohei Ohtani
His 7.2 wins over replacement ranked third in the American League, behind Shohei Ohtani (9.6) and Aaron Judge (10.6). It was also the highest score by a second baseman in an age-23 or younger season since 1910 (Eddie Collins)
This is also the second highest for a Cleveland player during his age-23 or younger season, Guardians schedule after Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1911 (9.2). This is in an organization which lists Manny Ramirez and Albert Belle among its all-time players. Lou Boudreau. Larry Doby. Kenny Lofton.
“One thing I like about him, is that he never quit working,” said Carlos Baerga (a former Cleveland infielder who hosts a local podcast). He worked hard when he was in the minor leagues.”
Guardians schedule Gimenez has been playing almost exclusively at second base since June. He was 22 years old when he took over for Jose Altuve in July. This made him the youngest Cleveland player to have started an All-Star Game.
“You remember who he reminds you of?” Roberto Alomar,” Baerga stated about the Hall of Famer. He’s a special player. He can make double plays and play side-by-side at second base.
Gimenez Only Needed A Small Amount Of Range
Gimenez didn’t require much range to play that one-hop, early-game smash against Cleveland. This brought the Rays to the brink in their best of three series.
He’s shown a lot of range over the past twelve months, and that includes at second base. He also moved from shortstop to second base, and he switched to a toe tap instead of the leg kick he used last season while batting, which helps him to time his pitches.
He plays the entire field and hits right-handers very well (.286 average batting), and left-handers extremely well (.336). His overall batting average was.297 in all 146 games this year, compared to.218 for 68 in 2021.
Terry Francona, Manager of the young team, said that last year was his first year. He was young and English was his second language. He was also trying to get at least two hits each day to keep himself in the lineup. That’s something I can understand. Although you try to tell men that they don’t have the right approach, I do understand.
Guardians schedule : Gimenez isn’t that player this year.
Francona stated, “He’s playing for us to win every day, whether it’s hitting, bunting, or playing second.” He’s simply growing up. Having these tools allows you to see your potential. When guys become confident, they either do more of the same things or do them more often.
It is not easy to trade an icon such as Lindor. The immediate impact on the fan base and the team is the most obvious. Further down the line, club officials will be graded on how they evaluate the team’s performance. The Guardians have an $82 million payroll. They are 28th in M.L.B. There is very little room for error.
Francona’s two-season win in the American League Central is a testament to not only Francona but also to Chris Antonetti (Cleveland’s president of baseball operations) and Mike Chernoff (general manager).
Chernoff spoke highly of Gimenez’s success, saying that it was a reminder to young players. “Adversity is a constant when you reach the big leagues. It’s all about how you overcome that adversity. He has maintained a consistent mental approach to at-bats this season.
Chernoff pointed out that Gimenez did not allow last year’s disappointment to ruin him.
Chernoff stated that “he let it all play out this year.” Guardians schedule  just kept his head down and worked hard to improve. He’s now one of the most skilled second basemen in baseball and his bat is really starting to improve.
Gimenez recalled being surprised by the Mets’ announcement that they were trading him. But Francona told Gimenez in July that he was an All-Star. The manager was visiting Kansas City and announced to the team that Jose Ramirez, Clase and other players were moving to Dodger Stadium. Francona began to walk off, before suddenly turning around and announcing that Gimenez was also on the team.
Gimenez heard a roar in the clubhouse and quickly went to the dugout, where he broke the news to his mother and wife via FaceTime. He was touched by the fact that Miguel Cabrera from Detroit, Venezuela, was there to congratulate him.
“Pretty cool,” Gimenez said.
After Yandy Diaz’s first-inning home run, Gimenez took a quick turn to end the inning with a double play. Bieber pitched seven and two-thirds innings. Rosario had two hits. The second came just before Ramirez’s homer that made the difference.
Chernoff stated that you never know what the outcome of the trade will be. “But, obviously, thankfully it’s been lucky in how it’s turned out so far.”
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