Lucas Sims

Lore & Background

Sims was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, 21st overall, out of Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. He signed with the Braves, receiving a $1.65 million signing bonus. On July 30, 2018, the Braves traded Sims, Matt Wisler, and Preston Tucker to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Adam Duvall. He made three appearances for Cincinnati in 2018, spending the majority of his time with the Triple-A Louisville Bats.

Sims started his first game as a Red on May 28, 2019, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2019, he made 24 appearances for Cincinnati, posting a 2–1 record and 4.60 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched. In 2020, Sims went 3–0 with a 2.45 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 25+2⁄3 innings over 20 games in relief. In 2021, he went 5–3 with a 4.40 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 47 innings.

Sims earned some notoriety for his actions during a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in April 2021. Despite heavy rain that would typically cause a rain delay, the umpires permitted the game to proceed. Sims couldn't get a proper grip on the wet ball, and finally forced the issue, asking home plate umpire Jerry Meals for a new baseball, and then another, and another, and another, saying each was too wet to use. Meals finally gave in and called a rain delay.

In 2022, Sims appeared in 9 games for the Reds, struggling to a 9.45 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 6+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was originally placed on the injured list with a back injury on May 12, 2022, then transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 17. On July 2, Sims underwent season-ending surgery to address a herniated disc in his back. He returned from the injury in April 2023.

In 67 appearances out of the bullpen, Sims compiled a 7–3 record and 3.10 ERA with 72 strikeouts across 61 innings pitched. Sims made 43 appearances for Cincinnati in the 2024 season before being traded to Boston, recording a 3.57 ERA with 40 strikeouts over 35+1⁄3 innings of work. On July 30, 2024, the Reds traded Sims to the Boston Red Sox, in exchange for minor league pitcher Ovis Portes. In 15 appearances for Boston, Sims struggled to an 0-2 record and 6.43 ERA with 9 strikeouts over 14 innings of work. On February 19, 2025, Sims signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals.

Reader's Guide

Sims made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves on August 1, 2017, pitching six innings, yielding three earned runs and recording three strikeouts. He finished the 2017 season 3–6, with a 5.62 ERA. After being traded to the Reds, he made three appearances for Cincinnati in 2018. His first start as a Red was on May 28, 2019, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2020, he posted a 2.45 ERA in relief. In 2021, he had a 4.40 ERA and was involved in a rain delay incident against the Arizona Diamondbacks. After back surgery in 2022, he returned in 2023 with a 3.10 ERA over 67 relief appearances. In 2024, he was traded to Boston, then signed with Washington in 2025, later with Philadelphia, and in 2026 with the Chicago White Sox before joining Staten Island.

Did You Know?

• In 2013, Sims was considered the Braves' best prospect according to MLB.com.
• Sims and Ozzie Albies made their MLB debuts on the same day for the Braves on August 1, 2017, the first time since 1968 that Atlanta started two players making their first major league appearance on the same day.