Arjun Nimala by Blue Jays

In other sports, it’s a polite way of saying a player isn’t quite ready. In the MLB draft, where patience is part of the deal, that’s exactly what the player development team wants.

The Blue Jays selected Nimmala 20th overall in the 2023 draft with eyes already set years later. The 17-year-old won’t turn 18 until October 16 – making him one of the youngest players in his class – but Toronto has plenty of time in the world to hone Nimmala’s gifts as he becomes a pro on the court and a grown man.

player
Nimmala was ranked the 11th player in the draft by MLB Pipeline, making him one of the best high school players available. At 6-foot-1 with plenty of room to add to his 170-pound frame, Nimmala is built for strength, something he already builds a lot with with a swing unlike most.

“The top end that has a little fanfare at the end has a unique nature,” said general manager Ross Atkins. “I think there are guys like that. I don’t compare him to those guys, but Julio Rodriguez and Mookie Bates have more class with a more surprising finish. What strikes me most is the speed and they are strong.

The Blue Jays have a great track record of trying to help hitters do things their way. Think Bo Bichette, whose swing mechanics have nothing to do with a hitting coach. You can expect the same for Nimala, up to this sign.

Nimmala said, “A lot of people think it’s like the end of a cricket match, but for me it’s normal and it’s kind of a stretch and I block the end. It helps me keep the bat in the area as long as it’s a good signal for me and it comes naturally, so it happens in games and it happens all the time. It’s something I do naturally and it helps me a lot.”

the person
Atkins and the Blue Jays had already gone through the full process of scouting at Nimala. If you are betting on a high school player this high, you want to make sure you have the right fundamentals. Seeing Nimmala during his recent visit to Toronto was Atkins’ first experience with him in person, though he saw a more mature player than his 17-year-old son.

“It was obvious he was very comfortable and very respectful,” Atkins said. “He seems to have all the foundations for all the challenges ahead and the talent is evident. We were as excited as we could be.”

Nimmala met most of the Blue Jays players and batted practice that day. He was grinning from ear to ear, but you could still tell he knew this was one of his first days working in a professional setting.

“My mind is very focused,” said Nima. “Defense, attack, whatever. My mentality is very focused on the game and I’ll try to do my best for the team at this time. I think every part of the game is an opportunity for me to do my best. Mentally, I’m very strong in those moments, that’s for sure.”

prediction
Secondary hitters are not exactly the typical Blue Jays first-round hitters. The best recent example is Jordan Groschans, who played rookie ball after being drafted in 2018 before going Single-A in his first full season (’19). The minor league structure is now different, though the Florida Complex League is Nimmala’s entry point.

FCL’s Blue Jays fighters average 19 and 20, but no matter when he gets there, the complex will be Nimmala’s home for the foreseeable future. That’s a good thing, too. The Blue Jays complex is a powerhouse when it comes to development and should give Nimala every conceivable tool to grow and develop.

“I had the opportunity to go down to Dunedin [Fla.,] And visit the Blue Jays’ spring training. “I thought it was absolutely amazing,” Nimala said. “They have all the facilities to develop players, so I was very intrigued by that. It helped a lot. I thought, ‘They can develop me very well.’”

That process begins now, and in terms of projects, Nimmala is exactly the person you want to hand over to your player development team.