TAMPA, Fla. — You can tell this was a new experience for Arjun Nimmala. As the 18-year-old took his spot in front of reporters and a television camera on Saturday afternoon near the back fields of George M. Steinbrenner Field, Nimmala flashed a big grin.
“Oh wow, nice mic,” Nimmala said, inducing laughter from the small gathering.
Then, he proceeded to ask how a media scrum worked and who was going to ask him questions.
The innocent exchange underscored just how fresh Nimmala is at this stage of his professional career. He’s going to encounter all kinds of firsts and, with him being one of the Blue Jays’ top prospects, the hope is that such experiences prepare him for the road ahead.
The early stretch of that path was in focus on Saturday as the Blue Jays took on the New York Yankees in the inaugural MLB Spring Breakout event. The game, which followed a Grapefruit League contest between the two clubs earlier in the afternoon, featured a bevy of premier prospects from both organizations.
Nimmala, who’s from nearby Valrico, Fla., and was selected by the Blue Jays in the first round (20th overall) of last year’s draft, was arguably the headliner for the visiting club. He batted sixth and started at shortstop for the Blue Jays but didn’t have much of an impact in the 9-1 loss to the Yankees, striking out twice and reaching base on a fielder’s choice.
Those results don’t diminish the hype surrounding Nimmala, though, and there’s plenty, for good reason.
He’s an athletic infielder with a strong physical projection and auspicious power potential. In addition, he’s pursuing history as he seeks to become the first player of Indian descent in MLB history.
Speaking of firsts, this is Nimmala’s initial run through the pro baseball calendar and that’s included his first trip to a spring training camp. The experience has offered him a chance to gain some personal insight.
“Through this first year, the biggest areas of growth have definitely been, not physically and on the field, but it would be more mental,” said Nimmala. “I think growing up just being good is something that a lot of kids have. You don’t have to really hone in on things that are important mentally. So, definitely mental growth and being ready from pitch one is something that I’ve learned over the last year.”
Jose Mayorga managed Nimmala during the shortstop’s stint in the Florida Complex League last summer and has worked with him in Blue Jays camp this spring. He’s noticed a change in Nimmala.
“I think the most important thing that he has improved is how he goes about his work,” said Mayorga, who was recently named manager for the single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. “He has a much better understanding of what he has to do to get him ready to work and to play. It’s maturity — an understanding of his routines. I’m not saying that he didn’t know that last year, but I think he looks more solid.”
Nimmala spent time in the off-season training in the Orlando area with New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, just as he did ahead of his senior year at Strawberry Crest High School. Nimmala credits the four-time all-star with helping him gain an “understanding [of] what it takes to be at that level.”
Mayorga, for his part, believes that Nimmala will eventually get there.
“He’s going to be a big-leaguer for sure,” said Mayorga. “He’s got good tools that I haven’t seen before in a player that age… He’s going to be successful in this game.”
For now, though, the organization’s message to Nimmala is simple:
“Just keep playing,” said Mayorga. “Keep doing what he’s doing, keep working hard. He’s really young. He’s going to come at some point. He’s doing good things in the weight room, good things in his routines. And that’s going to carry over in the field.”
Should that happen, Nimmala can expect to have many more nice mics held up to him.