The Blue Jays have selected Arjun Nimmala!

Out of 20 articles I wrote for the 20th pick, the 17-year-old shortstop from Strawberry Crest High School was not one of those players.
In his senior year of high school, he slashed .479/.573/.877 with five homers in 73 plate appearances. He also walked (14) more than he struck out (13), and also stole nine of 11 bases. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With the 20th pick of the 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLBDraft</a> the <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJays</a> select SS Arjun Nimmala (Strawberry Crest HS, FL).
📋 <a href="https://t.co/wPuDiHwwFl">https://t.co/wPuDiHwwFl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/PBRFlorida?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBRFlorida</a> <a href="https://t.co/0HdS03n35d">pic.twitter.com/0HdS03n35d</a>
— PBR Draft HQ (@PBR_DraftHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_DraftHQ/status/1678205525249470467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
However, high school statistics don’t matter all that much, so what makes him such a highly touted prospect? The first thing that immediately stands out about Nimmala is his serious raw power and still has some projection remaining in his 6’1” frame.
There is some obvious risk in his profile, as there usually is with prep players. He expands the zone often and his approach needs some adjustment as he hits the pro game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJays</a> select Arjun Nimmala with the 20th pick!
We sat down with the standout high school shortstop and his family leading up to the <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBDraft?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBDraft</a> to discuss his baseball journey. <a href="https://t.co/bX9H8mvZPl">pic.twitter.com/bX9H8mvZPl</a>
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1678207099627802625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
It’s worth noting that he’s an above-average runner, and he’ll likely stick at shortstop, as Nimmala has great range and a good arm.
Here are his grades according to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
<table style="height: 168px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Tool</td>
<td style="height: 24px">Baseball America Grades:</td>
<td style="height: 24px">MLB Pipeline:</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Hit</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Power</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Run</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Arm</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Field</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Overall</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In all honesty, Nimmala was the best pick available as he ranked as MLB Pipeline’s 11th best ailable draft prospect, and Baseball America’s 17th best prospect.
More information is to come later, but the Blue Jays do not have another pick on Sunday. On Monday, their first pick of the day is the 89th overall pick. Day two starts at 2:00 PM EST. It’ll be a fun two extra days, so stay tuned!
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.
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The Blue Jays have selected Arjun Nimmala!



Out of 20 articles I wrote for the 20th pick, the 17-year-old shortstop from Strawberry Crest High School was not one of those players.

In his senior year of high school, he slashed .479/.573/.877 with five homers in 73 plate appearances. He also walked (14) more than he struck out (13), and also stole nine of 11 bases. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With the 20th pick of the 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLBDraft</a> the <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJays</a> select SS Arjun Nimmala (Strawberry Crest HS, FL).
📋 <a href="https://t.co/wPuDiHwwFl">https://t.co/wPuDiHwwFl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/PBRFlorida?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBRFlorida</a> <a href="https://t.co/0HdS03n35d">pic.twitter.com/0HdS03n35d</a>

— PBR Draft HQ (@PBR_DraftHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBR_DraftHQ/status/1678205525249470467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
However, high school statistics don’t matter all that much, so what makes him such a highly touted prospect? The first thing that immediately stands out about Nimmala is his serious raw power and still has some projection remaining in his 6’1” frame.

There is some obvious risk in his profile, as there usually is with prep players. He expands the zone often and his approach needs some adjustment as he hits the pro game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJays</a> select Arjun Nimmala with the 20th pick!
We sat down with the standout high school shortstop and his family leading up to the <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBDraft?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBDraft</a> to discuss his baseball journey. <a href="https://t.co/bX9H8mvZPl">pic.twitter.com/bX9H8mvZPl</a>

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1678207099627802625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
It’s worth noting that he’s an above-average runner, and he’ll likely stick at shortstop, as Nimmala has great range and a good arm.

Here are his grades according to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
<table style="height: 168px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Tool</td>
<td style="height: 24px">Baseball America Grades:</td>
<td style="height: 24px">MLB Pipeline:</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Hit</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Power</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Run</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Arm</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Field</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">50</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="height: 24px">Overall</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
<td style="height: 24px;text-align: center">55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In all honesty, Nimmala was the best pick available as he ranked as MLB Pipeline’s 11th best ailable draft prospect, and Baseball America’s 17th best prospect.

More information is to come later, but the Blue Jays do not have another pick on Sunday. On Monday, their first pick of the day is the 89th overall pick. Day two starts at 2:00 PM EST. It’ll be a fun two extra days, so stay tuned!

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.

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