(July 8, 2023) Baseball is the one sport in the USA that unites communities, ignites passions and instills a love for sport that lasts a lifetime. Entering this competitive world of baseball is an Indian American teenager, Arjun Nimmala – who is possibly the first Indian-origin player to be a part of the MLB draft class which is set to take place in Seattle between July 9 and 11.
A former cricket player, and a recent graduate from Strawberry Crest High School in the delightful outskirts of Tampa, the seventeen-year-old sensation has secured his ticket to the hallowed halls of Florida State University come autumn. But that’s not all. The youngster is currently under the tutelage of none other than New York Mets’ shortstop extraordinaire, Francisco Lindor, who also happens to be Arjun’s favourite player. Interestingly, the Global Indian’s “capabilities at the shortstop position lead many to draw comparisons to Minnesota Twins shortstop and former Rookie of the Year, Carlos Correa.”
Hitting it out of the park
As a young lad growing up in Valrico, Florida, Arjun and his family embarked on journeys to their home in Vijayawada, India. During these sojourns, the player would engage in spirited matches of cricket with his cousins and friends. While he displayed prowess as a batsman, his bowling skills proved less than stellar. Nonetheless, cricket became an integral part of his life, a pastime he cherished deeply.
“I’m horrible, I don’t get the form right. I’m just a hitter,” the young player said during an interview, adding, “I also played a little bit of soccer and basketball, and those are both really fun sports for me.” When pondering if his talent could reach the heights of a Division I athlete in cricket, he hesitated momentarily before nodding affirmatively. “If I really practiced to the point that the others did, I think I would’ve been pretty good at cricket,” he said.
But fate had something else in store for him. As he stepped into the hallowed halls of high school in 2019, Nimmala bid adieu to cricket, along with soccer and basketball, setting his sights firmly on the diamond, where baseball beckoned with irresistible allure. “Basketball was quite competitive, and decided to continue with the game because I was quite passionate about it.”
Swinging for the fences
Eventually, the player’s batting practices became incredibly impressive, with scouts projecting anywhere from 25 to 35 homers annually from his raw power. He also proved to be an extremely valuable asset for his school team, winning several matches for them. “I realised I was pretty good at baseball at the age of 12-13. Some of those skills started to pop out. And from then I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to go play college baseball’,” the player said.
When it comes to defense, Arjun shines brightly at shortstop, showcasing remarkable skills that have garnered praise. On the offensive front, the young player possesses a treasure trove of attributes crucial for projecting him as a consistent hitter. His hitting mechanics, impressive bat speed, nimble hands, and astute game intelligence all hint at the potential to excel in hitting for average. Yet, in his encounters against top-tier opponents, his in-game performances have fallen into the category of good rather than truly exceptional.
Speaking about his latest achievement of joining the MLB, the young player said, “It was always a dream of mine to play Major League Baseball ever since I knew what the MLB was. It’s a dream come true. I hope I play well enough for them to really watch me, like how Japan stopped and watched Shohei Ohtani in the WBC. I hope they pay attention, that’d be so cool. I just want them to watch and be proud of what we Indians can do,” the player shared.
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