During the MLB draft last year, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Arjun Nimmala as the 20th overall pick. This is a big deal for baseball, with Nimmala becoming one of the first-ever first-generation South Asians to be drafted into a major sport. Aside from being an exceptional shortstop, Nimmala has the potential to change baseball. He can positively impact baseball culture and further introduce baseball to more South Asians in Canada.
It’s no secret that baseball has been struggling to keep its viewers. Last year, the MLB implemented new changes like the pitch timer to ensure a quicker pace during game play. There have long been complaints that baseball is either “too slow” or “boring.” However, one area baseball has struggled with significantly is the demographics of its viewers. The majority of the sport’s fans are over thirty; younger people are not connecting with the game in the same way as its older audiences. Moreover, South Asians specifically don’t have too much of an interest in baseball. Cricket is already the dominant sport for many South Asians, and it’s been hard for those fans to cross over. Although cricket and baseball share many similarities, South Asians have tended to stay incredibly loyal to cricket over the years.
Nimmala completely changes the baseball landscape by enticing more South Asian viewers and breaking the barriers in place for South Asian baseball players to get drafted. Already, Nimmala is incredibly popular within the South Asian community and has been featured on networks like the Times of India. Also, baseball players in Canada are incredibly diverse. I’ve seen some amazing South Asian minor baseball athletes play and I think there should be more resources to allow these athletes the chance to make the big leagues. It’s also important for younger athletes to feel represented when they watch the MLB. With a team like the Jays that plays in the heart of Toronto, it makes sense to add diversity and appeal to the fan base.
Plus, the Jays kind of need Nimmala. The Toronto Blue Jays are currently in their second phase of huge renovations to their home base. And if you’ve been to the Rogers Centre anytime last season, you’ll know that these changes are crazy. The 500s genuinely feel like a mix between a club and a ballpark. With fancy upgrades like the Corona Rooftop Patio and Park Social, the Jays are really determined to get more people at their games. Vladdy does a great job of getting fans to the stadium, but with last year’s disappointing losses it’s been hard for the Jays to truly be Next Level. Nimmala is a win-win for all: the Jays get a bigger audience, South Asians are represented and maybe the team can work towards a World Series win with some fresh faces. It’s going to be a while until we see Nimmala at the Rogers Centre but at least until then we’ve got some hope.