Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

The area in and around Tampa has long been a hotbed in terms of producing premium high school Draft talent, and this year is no different, with hitters like Aidan Miller and Nimmala high on most teams’ boards. Nimmala’s age and offensive upside were on display all summer, including at Major League Baseball’s High School All-American Game, and he's poised to become the first draftee ever from Strawberry Crest High School.

A 6-foot-1 right-handed hitter and shortstop, Nimmala is all about projection. He calls himself a “patient-aggressive” hitter and definitely doesn’t get cheated at the plate. He has at least plus raw power and can drive the ball to all fields, and while there are still some issues about his pitch selection and inconsistency in the quality of his at-bats that sometimes keeps him from tapping into that power, scouts are bullish about his offensive upside.

A tick above average as a runner, Nimmala has every chance to play shortstop for a long time, with enough arm and range for the premium position to go along with loose actions. If it all clicks, the Florida State recruit could have plus grades across the board, a big reason why he's vaulted himself into serious first-round conversations.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Only 17 heading into the 2023 Draft, Nimmala drew tons of intrigue for his future projection and slotted in as No. 11 in MLB Pipeline’s rankings for the class. The Blue Jays selected him 20th overall, making him the highest first-generation Indian-American ever drafted in the four major sports, and signed him for $3 million. With short-season ball limited to the complex, Toronto faced a decision on where to open the shortstop in 2024 and chose Single-A Dunedin after his strong spring. Nimmala hit just .167 with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate through 29 games, and the organization did an in-season reset in mid-May. After he returned to the Florida State League on June 27, he took off with a .265/.331/.564 line and 13 homers in his final 53 games.

Nimmala’s 17 homers total led all players aged 18 or younger in 2024, and his FSL exit velocity data was solid for the level regardless of age, underlining that he could get to plus power at maturity. Blue Jays coaches noted that he wasn’t always putting himself in the best posture to make the most of that strength in the season’s first half and worked to correct it, leading to much better numbers on pitches inside the zone after his in-season break. Nimmala can still be vulnerable to soft stuff as he grows more accustomed to pro pitching.

The Florida native can be a solid runner but may slow down as he grows into his large frame. He made gains with his defensive instincts and range at shortstop, and while he isn’t always smooth there, his plus arm strength can help paper over issues. Nimmala will still only be 19 for the entire 2025 season and cemented his place among the game's most interesting prospects.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Nimmala’s physical projection and power potential at just 17 sent him shooting up Draft boards in 2023, ranking him No. 11 on MLB Pipeline’s Draft prospects list. The Blue Jays were thrilled to land Nimmala with the No. 20 pick and knew him as well as any organization given that he played prep ball just 40 miles away. Nimmala became the first first-generation Indian-American drafted in the first round of the four major U.S. sports. This was a dream match for the Blue Jays, given their new player development complex and Nimmala's raw upside at such a young age. 

One year in, you can already see more physical growth in Nimmala. He’s built almost like an Olympic swimmer, with a broad chest and shoulders that narrow to his beltline. The Blue Jays like his athleticism to stay at shortstop for now, but third base could enter the picture down the road. Nimmala played in nine games in the Florida Complex League in 2023, going 5-for-40 (.200) with 14 walks, but his power should start to show in flashes in ‘24. That power has the potential to be special, and it’d be even more notable if he’s able to stick at shortstop.

In Nimmala’s first full season with the organization, he’ll need to work on a plate approach that is already a tick better than the Blue Jays expected coming out of the Draft. Getting to his power is key as that tool alone could carry him. Nimmala is the most exciting position-player project in this system right now.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

The area in and around Tampa has long been a hotbed in terms of producing premium high school Draft talent, and this year was no different, with hitters like Aidan Miller and Nimmala high on most teams’ boards. Nimmala’s age and offensive upside were on display all summer, including at Major League Baseball’s High School All-American Game, and he became Toronto’s first-rounder at No. 20 overall, signing for $3 million. 

A 6-foot-1 right-handed hitter and shortstop, Nimmala is all about projection. He calls himself a “patient-aggressive” hitter and definitely doesn’t get cheated at the plate. He has at least plus raw power and can drive the ball to all fields, and while there are still some issues about his pitch selection and inconsistency in the quality of his at-bats that sometimes keeps him from tapping into that power, scouts are bullish about his offensive upside.

A tick above average as a runner, Nimmala has every chance to play shortstop for a long time, with enough arm and range for the premium position to go along with loose actions. If it all clicks, the Florida State recruit could have plus grades across the board, a big reason why he vaulted himself into serious first-round conversations. Considering Nimmala was 17 on Draft Day, the Jays will be patient in their pursuit of developing him into their next infield star.

Awards

NWL Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/25/2025

FSL Player of the Month

Month	Team
08/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	04/02/2025	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to Vancouver Canadians from Dunedin Blue Jays.
	04/02/2025	Vancouver Canadians activated SS Arjun Nimmala.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Arjun Nimmala.
	02/28/2025	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
	06/27/2024	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays from FCL Blue Jays.
	06/03/2024	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to FCL Blue Jays from Dunedin Blue Jays.
	05/14/2024	Dunedin Blue Jays transferred SS Arjun Nimmala to the Development List.
	04/04/2024	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to Dunedin Blue Jays from FCL Blue Jays.
	03/20/2024	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
	03/07/2024	Toronto Blue Jays Prospects activated SS Arjun Nimmala.
	08/01/2023	FCL Blue Jays activated SS Arjun Nimmala.
	08/01/2023	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to FCL Blue Jays.
	07/17/2023	Toronto Blue Jays signed SS Arjun Nimmala.
	06/02/2023	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to College Workout.
	05/22/2023	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to College Workout.
	07/01/2022	SS Arjun Nimmala assigned to High School Workout.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated SS Arjun Nimmala.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated SS Arjun Nimmala.