School Mississippi State University; Class: Junior
Position: RHP; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-2; Weight: 227
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: South Forsyth High School
| FB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 65 | 70 | 45/50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: A product of South Forsyth High School, Sims combined with 2021 first rounder Will Bednar to form the backbone of the Bulldogs’ championship title run that year. And the duo would eventually blank the Vanderbilt Commodores on a combined one-hitter to capture the school’s first ever championship. Sims, a two-sport star during his prep career, was featured on countless clips on the internet for his intimidating mound presence and plus-plus fastball-slider combination throughout the year.
A burly 6-foot-2, 227-pound right-hander, Sims began his collegiate career in dominating fashion with the pandemic the only thing capable of slowing him down. In 13.0 innings of work out of Mississippi State’s pen, he struck out an impressive 23 and walked seven to go along with a 3.46 ERA. Sims followed it up with a crescendo of fireman brilliance in 2021. Making a career best 23 appearances, he averaged 16 strikeouts and just 2.4 walks per nine innings while tallying a 1.44 ERA.
This season the school converted the shutdown stopper into a full-time starting pitcher. And the results were magnificent – at least, momentarily.
Sims posted a 27-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in only 15.2 innings of work, along just two earned runs across his first three starts. After that, though, he would hit the disabled list with a wonky elbow, eventually succumbing to Tommy John surgery.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2015, only seven Division I pitchers averaged at least 15 strikeouts per nine innings in a season (min. 50 IP): Noah Song, Matt Mikulski, Wyatt Marks, Levi David, Joseph Menefee, and – of course – Landon Sims.
- Of those aforementioned seven, only one hurler – Landon Sims – posted a walk rate below 2.5 BB/9.
Mid- to upper-90s fastball that Sims commands exceptionally well to both sides of the plate. The borderline plus-plus offering has tremendous late life, and it’s practically unhittable up in the zone. He’ll complement the offering with the class’s top slider, unquestionably a plus-plus, elite breaking ball. He’ll also mix in a reportedly average changeup (I didn’t see one in 2022). Sims has the prototypical bulldog mentality and demeanor to be an elite big league closer a la Brian Wilson. And prior to the injury, he seemed to be on the precipice of a potential legitimate starting ace. Whichever team drafts the flame-throwing right-hander, the temptation to fast-track him to the big leagues will be present. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Washington or Houston take a gamble on him.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Moderate to High
Grade: First / Second Round
