Latest news with #ArjunNimmala
Global News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Blue Jays top prospect Arjun Nimmala making waves and history in Vancouver
Under the lights at Vancouver, B.C.'s Nat Bailey Stadium, 19‑year‑old Arjun Nimmala is standing out, not only for his on-field performance, but for the cultural resonance he brings to the game. Nimmala was born in Florida to Indian immigrant parents and is already regarded as one of the top prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. A sit-down interview with Global News delved into the depth behind his rapid ascent. Straight out of high school, Nimmala signed with the Blue Jays for $3 million after being selected 20th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. View image in full screen Baseball insiders believe Arjun Nimmala has a strong swing and a promising future as a hitter. Neetu Garcha / Global News He now plays for the Vancouver Canadians, the club's High-A affiliate, and has been named the Northwest League's Player of the Week. The publication Baseball America also called him a 'future star.' Story continues below advertisement And while another name, Texas Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker, officially claimed the milestone of being MLB's first player of Indian descent, Nimmala's journey is just beginning. In May, Nimmala played during South Asian Heritage Night at Nat Bailey Stadium, a night which he said took on a deeply personal meaning. 'It felt amazing, you know,' he told Global News. 'I didn't know what to expect going into the night, but just seeing all the people here, especially Asians, Indians, it was insane because usually you don't see a lot of that, and just having them here meant a lot for me.' Born in the U.S. but proud of his roots, Nimmala even celebrates them on the field, in his own signature way. 1:54 Shohei Ohtani hits record-breaking 50 home runs, steal 50 bases in 1 season 'My name is Arjun, named after Arjuna, he's an archer in Hindu mythology,' he explained. Story continues below advertisement 'So if you ever watch the games, I do a, like, when I get on second base or something, I do a bow and arrow celebration to like kind of show meaning to that.' Before he played baseball, he played cricket, his father's sport. The early experience with hand-eye coordination and bat control helped shape the foundation for what would become a pro career. 'For me personally, I thought it was a pretty smooth transition. You know, a lot of the bat-to-ball skills you see in cricket is very similar in baseball. So I thought the transition for me was pretty smooth,' Nimmala said. View image in full screen Arjun Nimmala played cricket as a child, something he credits with his 'smooth transition' to baseball. Neetu Garcha / Global News A rough start, a major turnaround Nimmala's pro career didn't start as smoothly as he would have hoped. Story continues below advertisement After struggling in his first several games, he credits mechanical adjustments and mental focus for the dramatic improvement. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I was definitely not very good to start the season last year for sure, but I mean, you know, it was just a little bit of a learning stage, got a little bit of time to reset and go back to the complex and made some mental tweaks, hitting adjustments, and since then, you now, just forgot about that start and you know been good ever since,' he said. David Singh, a senior writer at Sportsnet, has followed Nimmala since the draft. 'I spent some time with Arjun right after he was drafted and he was a fresh-faced kid just signed … to see the development he's gone through since then it's been a marked change,' Singh said. 18:30 Joey Votto discusses his storied career with Cincinnati Reds, love for hometown Jays 'He's really mature; the level of maturity is something that people here in the organization speak about. It's something that wows them.' Story continues below advertisement According to Singh, that maturity sets him apart. 'For somebody to go through struggles, come out on the other side okay, but then recognize how that has been for their development is pretty rare for a 19-year-old,' Singh said. Doug Fox, a Blue Jays prospect analyst and writer, says Nimmala's rise in High-A is especially impressive given his age and the pitching-friendly environment of the Northwest League. 'He's very young. Despite being one of the youngest players in all of the High-A level, he's among the offensive leaders in many categories. Everything about him suggests he will be an impact bat at the big league level,' Fox said. 'I certainly would expect by 2027 or '28 he will be a full-time big leaguer.' Singh also sees a major upside as Nimmala grows into his frame. 'As his frame develops, I think we'll see more power come out. He's a very strong hitter, he's got a good hit tool is what we call it in baseball,' Singh said. View image in full screen Arjun Nimmala told Global News having the chance to play during Nat Bailey Stadium's South Asian Heritage Night 'felt amazing.' Neetu Garcha Representation and responsibility Nimmala knows he carries more than just expectations on his back; some say he also carries a community. Story continues below advertisement 'Last year, he was vying to become the first player of Indian descent in major league baseball; that's since been passed by Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers. It's significant for kids everywhere to know they can have a seat at the table too,' Singh said. Singh said Nimmala's role as a cultural trailblazer began well before his debut. 2:09 Canadian baseball giant Joey Votto retires 'Arjun has entered professional baseball already lugging a whole culture on his back in a sense,' he said. 'He was fielding questions about his ethnicity and standing in the game because of his race when he was 18 years old, before he was even drafted. To hear him speak now about that is quite impressive.' Despite the spotlight, Nimmala told Global News he doesn't feel the heat of the spotlight. Story continues below advertisement 'None of it's been pressure. It's always been motivation to keep getting better,' Nimmala said. Eyes on Toronto, legacy in mind Though Nimmala says he's not putting a timeline on when he'll make it to the majors, he hopes to make his debut in Toronto. 'What would be cool is if a debut came in Toronto, that would be the coolest,' Nimmala said.' And when that day comes, he wants to be remembered for more than his stats. 'After I'm done playing baseball, I hope people remember me as not only a great player but also a great leader and a person who really did what they could for anyone,' Nimmala said. In a game driven by numbers, perhaps it's Nimmala's perspective that continues to set him apart. And he's already inspiring a generation that looks up and sees someone who looks like them. Story continues below advertisement 'People definitely know who he is. They've seen him on MLB Network. He's done an excellent job of handling that pressure,' Singh said. Nimmala's journey to the major leagues is in its early stages but for many, the significance of his presence today is already a home run.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
South Asian baseball star Arjun Nimmala a top Jays prospect
The MLB deadline at the end of the month means there's potential for some new additions to the Blue Jay's roster — and there's one exciting young prospect in their minor league system. Arjun Nimmala was raised in the U.S. by Indian parents and hopes to eventually represent his South Asian heritage in the major leagues. Neetu Garcha reports on his journey so far.
Vancouver Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Playoff baseball at Nat Bailey? Vancouver Canadians can clinch that tonight
The Vancouver Canadians can clinch the Northwest League first-half pennant and a spot in the championship series tonight. The C's magic number is two — any combination of Vancouver wins and Everett AquaSox losses — to claim the first-half crown going into their visit to the Eugene Emeralds at PK Park. Everett visits the Spokane Indians tonight. Vancouver recorded their 11th straight win Tuesday night with a 12-8 triumph at Eugene. The C's (36-28) are one game up on the AquaSox (35-29) with two days left in the 66-game first half. Everett has the tiebreaker with Vancouver, based on winning the head-to-head season series. The first-half winner faces the second-half champion in September for the league title in the six-team, high-A loop. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The C's, who are a Toronto Blue Jays' farm team, have been in the league finals three years running. They last won it all in 2023. Vancouver is in Eugene through Sunday. The second-half schedule starts Friday. On Tuesday, the C's hit four home runs, including a team-leading 11th from 19-year-old shortstop Arjun Nimmala, who's Toronto's top prospect according to MLB Pipeline . Vancouver went into Wednesday night leading the Northwest League in runs with 391. The AquaSox, who are a Seattle Mariners affiliate, were next best at 326. The C's were second in homers, their 71 long bombs leaving them behind only the 92 amassed by the AquaSox. Vancouver hit 101 homers all of last season and scored 557 times. On the pitching side, the C's led the Northwest League in earned run average (4.15) as of Wednesday morning. Key players during this recent surge for Vancouver include 21-year-old infielder Cutter Coffey, who was hitting .404 (19-of-47) with 16 runs, two homers and 15 RBI through his past 11 games going into Wednesday and 21-year-old outfielder Victor Arias, who was hitting .346 (18-of-52) with 13 runs, three homers and 11 RBI. The C's are back at Nat Bailey Stadium next week for six games against Tri-City Dust Devils beginning on Tuesday. Next week's promotions include Women In Sports Day on Tuesday, featuring Blue Jays broadcaster Hazel Mae. Mae's original appearance for the C's on May 17 had been rained out. Check the C's web site for tickets. SEwen@ @SteveEwen
CBC
23-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Toronto Blue Jays prospect Arjun Nimmala speaks to CBC News
Vancouver Canadians infielder Arjun Nimmala, who was selected 20th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft, hopes to inspire a future generation of baseball players of Indian descent. CBC's Zameer Karim met with Nimmala ahead of a recent game at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The Province
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Report: The Toronto Blue Jays' No. 2-rated prospect is set to join the Vancouver Canadians
The fireballing righty joins shortstop Arjun Nimmala, who's Toronto's No. 1 prospect, on the C's, and should pitch in Vancouver on May 27 Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox Trey Yesavage going through the paces earlier this season with the Dunedin Blue Jays. There are reports he's been promoted to the Vancouver Canadians. Photo by Dunedin Blue Jays photo The Vancouver Canadians already feature Toronto Blue Jays' No. 1 prospect, Arjun Nimmala. Now, apparently, the No. 2-ranked Trey Yesavage is on his way to join the Nat Bailey Stadium crew. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors There's been no official word from the C's as of yet, but Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson at writes that the Blue Jays are promoting fireballing pitcher Yesavage from the single-A Dunedin Blue Jays to high-A Vancouver, along with fellow right-handers Khal Stephen and Gage Stanifer. Yesavage, 21, who was Toronto's first-round pick (No. 20 overall) in last summer's entry draft, last pitched Tuesday for Dunedin. The Blue Jays would undoubtedly want to keep him on the same routine. The C's are wrapping up a series with the Everett AquaSox on Sunday at the Nat. They start a six-game road set with the Eugene Emeralds on Tuesday, and then are back at the Nat for six against the Hillsboro Hops starting May 27. Yesavage would start that night, assuming he's kept on his current schedule. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The #BlueJays are promoting one of Single-A's most dominant pitching trios to Vancouver, led by No. 2 prospect Trey Yesavage. Full story on the news: — Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) May 16, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nimmala, 19, is a right-handed hitting shortstop who was Toronto's first-round pick (No. 20 overall) in 2023 and he has been superb so far for Vancouver, despite being one of the younger players in the Northwest League. Nimmala went into Sunday's doubleheader against the AquaSox hitting .277, with seven home runs and 18 runs batted in, through 32 games. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Yesavage has a fastball that sits at 93-95 miles per hour and peaks at 98. The speculation all season has been that the Blue Jays would bump him up to Vancouver once the weather here started to warm up. He's dominated through seven starts at Dunedin, striking out 55 while walking just eight in 33 and one-third innings. He's gone 3-0 there, with a 2.43 earned run average. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Yesavage received a $4.18 million signing bonus from the Blue Jays. Nimmala's signing bonus was $3 million. The top 10 pitching prospects according to the Formulated Consensus!1. Trey Yesavage2. Chase Burns3. Jonah Tong4. Gage Jump5. Bubba Chandler6. Sean Linan7. Carlos Lagrange8. Logan Henderson9. Wei-En Lin10. Jacob Misiorowski Join StS for more! — Scout the Statline (@StatlineScout) May 17, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Stephen, 22, is Toronto's No. 10-ranked prospect. He was 3-0, with a 2.06 ERA, in eight appearances with Dunedin, including seven starts. Stanifer, 21, has been Dunedin's closer. He's 4-0, with an 0.69 earned run average and two saves in seven appearances. MLB Pipeline has Nimmala and Yesavage in those top two positions among Blue Jays prospects. Vancouver's leading player on MLB Pipeline's Toronto list to finish last season was lefty Kendry Rojas, who came in at No. 12. When 2023 came to a close, righty Dahian Santos led Vancouver players on the MLB Pipeline rating of Blue Jay up and comers, slotted at No. 11. Nimmala comes in at No. 59 and No. 71 in MLB Pipeline's updated top-100 rankings for the entire minor leagues. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The C's likely haven't had prospects of this ilk since lefty Ricky Tiedemann did an eight-game turn with Vancouver in 2022. He was Toronto's No. 6 prospect when he arrived in May. By July, he had jumped to No. 3 in the Toronto system and No. 63 in the minors. He had entered the top-100 minors list at No. 100 on May 31. He made his last start with Vancouver on July 8 and then was promoted to the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Vancouver has been a Toronto farm team since 2011. They moved from the short-season, single-A level to high-A when Major League Baseball rejigged the minors during the COVID-19 pandemic break in 2020. SEwen@ @SteveEwen Read More Vancouver Canucks Junior Hockey News Vancouver Canucks News
