For the second time in three games, Arjun Nimmala went deep for Double-A Rocket City.
Nimmala -- the headlining return in the trade that sent José Soriano to the Blue Jays -- crushed the first pitch he saw to lead off the ninth inning on Thursday, sending it the opposite way to right-center field. It wasn’t quite enough, however, as the Trash Pandas fell 6-2 to Montgomery at Toyota Field.
Nimmala, now the Angels’ top prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 38 prospect overall, has reached base safely in 18 of his first 19 games since the trade. The 20-year-old shortstop also accepted a walk on Thursday, raising his on-base percentage to .379 with Rocket City.
Nimmala’s best tool is his 60-grade power. He’s sent out three home runs since joining the Angels’ system, making for seven total home runs in 52 Double-A games this season, including before he was traded. He has also driven in 21 RBIs while recording an .807 OPS.
COMPLETE ANGELS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Nimmala has handled aggressive assignments throughout his Minor League career, almost exclusively facing pitchers who have been older than him. A hamstring injury forced Nimmala to miss time after his first promotion to Double-A, but he’s finding his way with Rocket City. There’s chase in his profile, though it’s encouraging to see him take 17 walks to just 19 strikeouts through his first 19 games post-trade.