Appearing in his first big-league spring training game Wednesday, Arjun Nimmala showed the tantalizing potential that had the Toronto Blue Jays select the shortstop in the first round of the 2023 draft.
After walking in his first plate appearance, Nimmala stepped to the plate with the Blue Jays down by one and down to their final out in the ninth inning. The 18-year-old proceeded to work a 3-1 count before launching his first professional home run to left, evening the game at nine.
Nimmala, who made his affiliated debut with Toronto's Florida Complex League (FCL) team shortly after being drafted, made his first spring appearance in the Blue Jays' first-ever "Spring Breakout" game on March 16 against the New York Yankees.
But on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves, he entered the game as a defensive replacement for Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the seventh inning, taking over at short, marking his first game with the MLB squad.
In nine FCL games in 2023, Nimmala posted a .500 OBP, picking up five hits and 14 walks through his first 40 professional plate appearances.
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