The New-Age MLB Shortstop

They are all shortstops who can hit, hit bombs, steal bags, and are smooth, gifted defenders. Musings about having any of these players switch positions are often quickly shut down after viewing a tweet about a recent play or a video of them taking pregame infield.

​The wave of new-age shortstops is taking MLB by storm. They have provided a jolt of energy and optimism to clubs that were stagnant and out of playoff contention, at least for the Cardinals and Pirates.

Is still too early to consider promoting either Nimmala or Parker to the show for their MLB debut with the Blue Jays. Had they not so eagerly signed to begin their professional journeys as teenagers, both of these prized prospects certainly would have led their teams towards a College World Series push.

Parker Twins are Top Prospects

Maybe Parker could have joined his twin brother Jacob in battling Georgia for a spot among the eight teams in Omaha. Nimmala might have chosen Alabama or Florida State, where he could have starred for three years before perhaps even being the top pick in this year’s MLB draft.

The point is, they both went all in with the Jays, and now, with Gimenez nursing a minor injury, perhaps it is time to begin viewing Nimmala and Parker as more than prospects, but as potential long-term solutions at a position that remains critical to Toronto’s future.

Nimmala Makes Sense Soon!

The most logical choice at this time is Nimmala, who, after some reps in AA, is hitting over .300 and cutting down on strikeouts considerably. Scouts believe that Parker has the higher ceiling, as evidenced with his leap over Nimmala in the Jays and MLB Pipeline prospect lists. He needs more ABs and a stop at one of the higher minor league levels, and his callup timeline remains projected after Nimmala’s.

This is the sequence that is likely to play out, but if both keep raking and fill a power need that the Jays currently exhibit, then, even if just for a game or two, their arrival may come sooner than many expected.

If the Blue Jays needed a shortstop tomorrow, Nimmala would get the call. If they’re looking for the player with the highest long-term upside, Parker may be the better choice. Either way, Toronto suddenly finds itself with two legitimate candidates to anchor the position for the next decade.