Selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft from a Georgia high school, right-handed pitching prospect Lucas Sims made his big league debut on August 1, 2017. At Triple-A Gwinnett for the first part of the season, Sims was 7-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 20 games (19 starts), throwing 115.1 innings and allowing 95 hits and 36 walks against 132 strikeouts. Once he got to the big leagues in August and September, the righty went 3-6 with a 5.62 ERA over 14 games (ten starts) for Atlanta, and allowed 64 hits and 23 walks against 44 strikeouts over 57.2 innings pitched.
A very good athlete with a physically strong, durable frame and the use of four different pitches with decent command across the board, Lucas Sims ought to project out to remain a starter with the Atlanta Braves for much of his career. Formerly a top prospect before his graduation to the big leagues, the righty will enter 2018 with high expectations for landing a rotation job in Atlanta and solidifying himself there as more top organizational pitching prospects quickly make their way to join him. Below, you’ll find our full Lucas Sims scouting report, including game video, velocity notes, tool grades, projection notes, and more on the Atlanta Braves prospect.
Lucas Sims, Atlanta Braves — 2017 Scouting Report
Dates observed in 2017: July 17
Lucas Sims Scouting Report — Atlanta Braves — 2017 Game Video
Lucas Sims Scouting Report — Notes & Analysis
One of the multiple well-regarded Atlanta Braves pitching prospects littered across their system, Lucas Sims has graduated to the big league and figures to be in the mix for a rotation job in 2018. He’s a solid pitcher with a very good arm and two good breaking balls, and that combined with above-average control and very good athleticism makes him a pretty standard mid-rotation arm who could make a significant Major League impact. His curve and slider both have a shot to be serious strikeout pitches, and if he can get back on line through his drive to the plate and front foot landing, maybe he’ll find even more success with both. Above all, he’s a solid, consistent mid-rotation arm who broke into the big leagues for a taste in 2017 and now will be better equipped with a good enough arsenal to compete in the big leagues next summer.
Lucas Sims Scouting Report — Future Projection
Lucas Sims will be in the mix for a starting rotation job with the Atlanta Braves to begin 2018. Long term, he has the arm strength, command profile, and use of four pitches that should make him a reliable mid-rotation (#3/#4) arm for years to come. His impressive physical stature will help here, too; there’s no question in my mind that Sims is durable enough to be part of a big league starting rotation, and he may yet build out some more velocity with a few minor mechanical refinements that will also help improve the sharpness and effectiveness of his breaking balls. Above all, he’s one of a plethora of young, exciting pitching prospects the Atlanta Braves have quickly moving toward the big leagues, and there’s a high likelihood Lucas Sims will have an impact on the Braves’ next playoff run over the coming few seasons.
Overall Future Potential (Future Value): Mid-rotation (#3/#4) starting pitcher (55)
MLB ETA: 2018
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Atlanta Braves: Lucas Sims Scouting Report, July 2017
October 12, 2017 at 3:28 pm
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