With Bo Bichette’s return to form, he’ll need to maintain it for the foreseeable future if he doesn’t want to be replaced. Arjun Nimmala is only 19 years old, but the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospect is cruising through High-A. Nimmala is on his way to the MLB at a record pace, so double-A is the next logical step.
Bo Bichette May Not Re-Sign With the Blue Jays
With Bichette pursuing a lucrative contract in the offseason, Nimmala could be the team’s long-term replacement at a significantly lower cost. Bichette remained on the Blue Jays’ roster for $33 million, but he will be a free agent after 2025 ends. Nimmala is still a few steps away from the MLB, but it’s clear that Toronto is on the verge of finding its next superstar.
Bichette, 27, had a down year in 2024 before rebounding in 2025. He has matched his home run total from a year ago in 100 fewer at-bats, and his average has risen significantly.
With a.225 average before his 2024 season ended, Bichette was clearly not himself last year. All of his injuries and everything else have held him back, and 2025 is the ideal time for him to rebound as he seeks a new contract.
It’s not accurate to say Bichette peaked in 2021-22, but those were unquestionably his best two seasons. If he can stay relatively healthy for the next two to three seasons, there are plenty of teams that could use him as their primary shortstop and get their money’s worth.
His only 100-RBI season came in 2021, when he set career highs for stolen bases (25), runs (121), hits (191), home runs (29), and RBIs (102).
Nimmala is expected to reach Double-A within the next few months, according to Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson. Organizations have previously rushed prospects, slowing them down in the long run, but Nimmala’s.935 OPS is nothing short of incredible.
He has a.568 slugging percentage and a.291 batting average, which is just shy of 300. His 33 strikeouts in 148 at-bats aren’t too concerning, as he’s drawn 17 walks to compensate for it.
Nimmala has 84 total bases in the early stages of the 2025 season, one home run shy of double digits. He has 24 RBIs in 37 games, but he has only stolen two bases this season. In 2024, he had nine stolen bases.
There is no doubt that Nimmala possesses the talent, and the 2023 first-round pick would love to make an impact in Double-A this summer.
It’s a little early to say he’s Bichette’s replacement, but with the Blue Jays unlikely to renew his contract after the 2025 season, Nimmala will undoubtedly be the talk of the town.
