The parallels between JoJo Parker and Arjun Nimmala are abundant. They were both drafted in the first round out of high school by the Blue Jays; they both possess plus power at the shortstop position; and, on Saturday, they both launched mammoth big flies.
For Parker, MLB’s No. 40 prospect, the moonshot marked his second as a pro. It left his bat at 101.4 mph, traveled 362 feet and gave Single-A Dunedin the lead in an eventual 8-5 win over Clearwater at TD Ballpark.
Through 12 games, the 2025 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year has a 1.014 OPS with eight extra-base hits -- tied for third-most in the Florida State League. If you eliminate his first two games, in which Parker went 0-for-7, his OPS jumps to 1.177 with a .333/.510/.667 slash line.
COMPLETE BLUE JAYS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Parker’s homer came on a changeup from right-hander Brad Pacheco (Phillies), but so far in his young career, the 19-year-old has been feasting on four-seamers (.444 AVG) and sliders (.333 AVG). His other homer, a 108.3 mph jack on Tuesday, was off an 85.5 mph slider.
Armed with a powerful swing from the left side, the Blue Jays’ No. 2 prospect projects to add strength to his 6-foot-2 frame and develop even more pop as he matures. Earlier this spring, he garnered comparisons to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette from their time as prospects because of his comfort in the box during live batting practice.
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One level above Parker, Nimmala flexed his own muscles. The Blue Jays’ No. 3 prospect hammered a towering drive off the scoreboard beyond the left-field wall at Avista Stadium, comfortably clearing the 370-foot marker. The wallop came on a 3-0 fastball and represented High-A Vancouver’s first runs in its 11-1 triumph over Spokane.
Despite a slow start to his 2026 campaign, Nimmala, MLB’s No. 69 prospect, has still been able to find his power stroke. He has two homers through 11 games, and five of his seven knocks have gone for extra bases.
Coveted for his projectability as a Draft-eligible 17-year-old in 2023, Nimmala, now 20 years old, combined for 30 homers over his first two full seasons.
In '26, back at High-A for a second year, he’ll need to limit strikeouts and control the zone to truly reach his potential. So far, Nimmala is making progress on that front -- he has walked eight times compared to 13 strikeouts.
The Blue Jays may have moved on from their longtime shortstop in Bichette this past offseason, but it takes just one look at the Minors to see the position is in good hands for the future.