Arjun Nimmala has been giving Vancouver a bit of a spark in recent days, and he did so again on Sunday.
With the tragic events at Saturday night's Lapu Lapu Festival weighing heavily on Toronto's High-A affiliate, the Blue Jays' top prospect and the Canadians took the field in Everett with heavy hearts and came away with a 9-8 victory in extra innings over the Everett AquaSox at Funko Field.
Nimmala launched a first-pitch fastball from Mariners right-handed prospect Evan Truit over the fence in straight-away center in the first inning. It marked the third straight game with a homer for MLB's No. 83 prospect.
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The Canadians had posted to social media Sunday in response to the tragedy in their hometown: "Today, we hold the victims and families affected by the tragic events at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver in our thoughts. The strength and resolve of the Filipino community is unbreakable, and we stand by ready to support you, and our community."
The Blue Jays also issued a statement:
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Nimmala, who flashed his 60-grade power tool throughout the weekend, tallied his fifth homer in 18 contests this season and ended the day 2-for-5 with three runs scored.
The 19-year-old, who Toronto selected with the 20th pick of the 2023 Draft, has a .289/.349/.539 slash line. Across the past five games, Nimmala went 7-for-22 with three roundtrippers and seven RBIs, adding to an eye-catching start to his second full professional season after struggling out of the gates in 2024.
"Nobody wants to struggle, but it's a valuable lesson for me coming so early," Nimmala told MLB.com in March. "There are a lot of notable Major Leaguers who struggled early in their career. To mention one, Derek Jeter. Jeter struggled early in his first season.
"A lot of good players struggle. It doesn't matter where, but they're able to get out of it. Mine was early. I'm glad to have gotten out of it, and I'll carry those things I learned all the way up to Toronto."