Prospect Profile: Lucas Sims

 

With all of the pitching prospects the Braves acquired this past offseason, Lucas Sims has gotten little attention. However, the local product out of Brookwood High School (Snellville, Georgia) is still a top prospect in this organization. At 6’2”, 195 pounds, the right-handed Sims has the perfect build for a pitcher. Our first round pick in 2012, Sims got off to a hot start in our farm system. In 2013, Sims posted a 2.62 ERA with a 10.3 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 for A-level Rome. However, A+ ball was not as kind to Sims in 2014. He saw his strikeout numbers decline, and the earned runs pile up. The organization opted to have Sims repeat A+ ball this season. While his ERA doesn’t look great through 6 starts, that number is very deceiving and due in part to the small sample size. Sims has had a couple rough outings, but he has given up 2 or fewer runs in 4 of his 6 starts. Unfortunately, Sims has experienced a setback, as he was injured in the Carolina Mudcats bus crash a few weeks ago. He was placed on the DL with a hip contusion, and has been recovering down in Orlando. When Sims returns, he will be in the midst of a make or break season in his young career. Earning a promotion to AA Mississippi is a big step he needs to make by season’s end to stay on track to making the big leagues in a pitcher-crowded farm system. Sims has had many flashes of brilliance in his young career, and if he can show some more consistency in Carolina upon his return, he should be promoted in no time. Sims throws his fastball in the low to mid 90s, and also tosses a slider, curveball and a changeup. His changeup is a pitch he has mixed in more and more with time in the minors. Sims is still a bit raw, but the potential is there. If he can improve his location on his pitches, he can undoubtedly be a Major League starter. All he needs is to find one more plus pitch. With a crowded rotation in Atlanta, Sims will either be knocking on the door of the rotation in a couple years or will be one of Atlanta’s top trade chips. Many project him to be a mid-rotation starter. I have Sims rated as my number 3 prospect in the organization, with Tyrell Jenkins and Max Fried shortly behind him. BaseballProspectus.com had Sims ranked as their #54 prospect headed into this season. Sims has a ton of potential: the time is now for him to begin to make strides.

3 thoughts on “Prospect Profile: Lucas Sims”

  1. Sims has always been one of my favorite prospects. Has the build, athleticism, and demeanor of a solid starting pitcher. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a bit shaky when he comes back but I think he’s gonna go on a tear 2nd half and get that promotion to AA Sip and he’ll start reminding scouts and fans why they were so excited about him when he was drafted.

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