As Arjun Nimmala Rises, MLB Looks to India as the Next Frontier for Talent and Fandom
Baseball may be America’s pastime, but its influence stretches far beyond U.S. borders. From the powerhouses of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela to the baseball-obsessed stadiums of Japan, the sport has long thrived globally—with international stars making their mark in Major League Baseball.
Now, MLB is eyeing a new frontier: India.
The country of 1.46 billion people is traditionally cricket-crazy, but it also happens to be the birthplace of Arjun Nimmala’s family. Nimmala, a rising star in the Toronto Blue Jays system, made history as the first first-generation Indian American to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft. Taken 20th overall in 2023 at just 17 years old, he’s quickly becoming a symbol of baseball’s expanding global reach.
Raised just outside Tampa Bay, Florida, Nimmala grew up playing both cricket and baseball—thanks to his father, who introduced him to both games early on. While cricket runs in the family’s roots, it was baseball that ultimately captured Arjun’s heart.
Two years after being drafted, Nimmala now ranks No. 46 out of 900 prospects in MLB’s pipeline and is considered a potential future star for Toronto. Currently playing with the Blue Jays’ High-A affiliate in Vancouver, he continues to climb the minor league ladder with strong performances and high expectations.
As Nimmala’s career gains momentum, MLB is ramping up its efforts in India. The league has launched youth tournaments and introduced baseball programs in schools to plant seeds for long-term growth.
“Our goal is to introduce the game to as many kids as possible,” said Chris Marinak, MLB’s chief operations and strategy officer. “That’s how you create lifelong fans—get them playing, get them watching, get them hooked.”
The strategy includes increasing visibility in Indian homes. MLB has secured broadcast and streaming deals with two Indian partners to air regular season and postseason games—an early step in building a fanbase in a country where cricket dominates the airwaves.
MLB first established an office in India in 2019, and by 2021, it launched the MLB Cup—an annual youth tournament aimed at grassroots development. In 2023, Nimmala traveled to India to visit these initiatives and help promote the sport in the land of his heritage.
“To go there and see how baseball is growing in India—and knowing I can play a part in that—it really made me proud,” Nimmala said. “It was amazing to see kids already playing the game and wanting more.”
Asked about the potential of baseball in India, Marinak didn’t hold back.
“With over a billion people watching cricket, there’s a huge opportunity,” he said. “If we can bring baseball even close to that level of engagement, it would be transformative—similar to what we see in Japan or the U.S. It’s ambitious, but it’s possible.”
For Nimmala, the dream is still centered on the big leagues. While he acknowledges it may take time, his progress suggests he’s on the right path. Last season, he led all players age 18 or younger with 17 home runs. And after a slow start this year, his bat came alive: from June 27 on, he posted a .265 average with 13 home runs in 53 games, along with an impressive .564 slugging percentage.
His defense is strong, and according to MLB.com, he boasts elite arm strength—a key asset for his infield role. But perhaps more impactful than his stats is the influence he’s having off the field.
“I get a lot of messages on Instagram from young Indian kids who are starting to play baseball,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘Hey, I really look up to you.’ That’s amazing to see.”
Still, Nimmala isn’t distracted by the spotlight. His focus remains sharp.
“I’m 100% confident I’ll make it to the majors with the Blue Jays,” he said. “And I’m going to make an impact when I get there.”
