Blue Jays: Leo Jiménez commits to Panama’s roster for WBC
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jan 18, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 18, 2026, 11:21 EST
It looks as if another Toronto Blue Jays player will participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Last week, Francisco Márquez of El Siglo, a Panamanian website, reported that Leo Jiménez will represent his home country of Panama in the 2026 World Baseball Classic this March. Other Blue Jays heading to the tournament are Ernie Clement (Team USA), Alejandro Kirk (Team Mexico), and several other players in the organization.
Jiménez, 24, was born in Chitré, Panama. He signed as an international free agent for the Blue Jays in 2017 and worked his way to the big leagues, making his debut in 2024. It wasn’t until 2021 when the middle infielder made a name for himself, as he slashed .315/.517/.381 with one home run in 242 plate appearances in Single-A that season. At the end of the 2021 season, the Jays added Jiménez to their 40-man roster.
From there, Jiménez started to hit for a bit more power, hitting six home runs in 294 plate appearances in 2022 with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. The following season, Jiménez batted .287 with eight home runs in 333 plate appearances with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, but struggled upon his promotion to Triple-A to finish the season.
When Jiménez played in the minor leagues in 2024, he slashed .271/.416/.331 with seven home runs in 226 plate appearances for a 135 wRC+. With Bo Bichette injured in 2024 and the Blue Jays well out of contention (what a difference a year makes), Jiménez got a long look with the Blue Jays.
Over 63 games, Jiménez slashed .229/.329/.358 with four home runs in 210 plate appearances, giving the middle infielder a career-best 11 home runs between the two levels. His 101 wRC+ was the fifth-best on the Blue Jays for any player with 100 or more plate appearances, joining Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Spencer Horwitz, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Justin Turner as the five Blue Jays who hit for an above-average wRC+.
Jiménez’s 2025 was marred by injuries and the Blue Jays actually being good. He had four separate stints on the injured list in Triple-A, and ended up receiving just 99 plate appearances in 26 games with the Bisons, slashing .296/.404/.370 with no home runs for a 122 wRC+. Jiménez played in 18 games with the Blue Jays, hitting a home run and slashing .069/.129/.172.
The 24-year-old is out of option years in 2026, meaning that he’ll have to make the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster or be exposed to waivers. With how deep the Blue Jays are heading into next season, it’s hard to see the middle infielder make the roster unless there are injuries.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.