The Brandon Nimmo that finished the 2013 season in Savannah, Georgia and the Brandon Nimmo that was just re-assigned to minor league camp are two very different players. Nimmo spent his off-season working out at the highly touted IMG Pro Academy in Bradenton, Florida. This the same facility that Joey Votto, Joe Mauer, Josh Hamilton, and Pedro Alvarez and many future prospects (including a personal friend of mine future star LHSP Logan Allen) all have spent time at.
While there, Nimmo was able to have an extremely productive off-season and even put on about 10 pounds of additional muscle.
"I got to field and hit more. I saw a lot more fly balls. Everything is just a lot more baseball oriented. They also oversaw all our meals and I worked with a nutritionist. All meals are made for you there. There was also vision testing, so you're making sure you have optimum vision. It's the complete package. I'm definitely faster than ever. It was just a very productive experience."
The results of his productive off-season showed immense improvement. In 5 official Grapefruit League games, Nimmo hit .500 against mostly AAA talent including an RBI and 1 BB to 1 K. In addition during 2 "B" team games Nimmo hit an opposite field 2 RBI triple and launched a home run. He also made some nice defensive plays in CF.
“Baseball is a game of failure and adversity.....You have to be able to handle the ups and downs. You can’t let yourself get too high and you can’t let yourself get too low.”
Nimmo is slated to start the 2014 season with the Port St. Lucie team in Florida but his strong spring training could help the front office push him to AA Binghamton a bit faster if he continues to hit well against what seems like an inferior level of play.
4 comments:
Nimmo will play this game a lot faster than his physical age. My guess his back end will be a readiness on OD 2016.
I applaud Nimmo for putting himself thru that regimen - hopefully, it has a huge payoff for him this year. it would be GREAT if he really pans out as an outfield star in a few years.
I am surprised that more prospects (e.g., Tovar) don't invest their off seasons in a similar manner - the window of opportunity for many guys is small, so do the most to grab the ring.
@TOm
Some people have the drive....some people don't. Its a character thing.
I have no way of knowing, but for a guy like Tovar who was not (I don't think) a bonus baby and without a major league salary - maybe the cost is prohibitive.
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