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AFL Update: Nov. 11, 2015

John-Simms-AFL-11-10-15
Salt River snapped a 1-1 tie with a run in the 8th and this time the bullpen held the lead for a 2-1 win over Peoria, stopping a three-game slide.

Three Nationals appeared in the game.

  • John Simms started and gave up a single run on a home run (again) and four hits total over five innings. He walked one and struck out four while throwing 71 pitches, 47 for strikes.
  • Dakota Bacus pitched the bottom of the 8th and set the side down in order on a groundout, popout, and a lineout. He threw 12 pitches, eight for strikes and earned his second hold this fall.
  • Drew Ward was the DH and went 0-for-2 with a walk, his seventh in nine games, which lowered his BA to .087 but improved his OBP to .290

The Rafters remain two games behind the Scorpions with eight games to play. Tonight, Salt River plays host to Peoria.

9 Commments

  1. Simms has a serious MJ think going on with his tongue. It has shown up in several of Lee’s photos.

    Luke, what has been your impression of Simms from your looks at him at Potomac? He seemed to thrive at Potomac this year, struggle after his promotion to Harrisburg, but now has been strong in AZ. I don’t see high K totals, so I’m assuming he wouldn’t be much of a candidate for an MLB bullpen. I would think that his name will come up a good bit this off-season, particularly with rebuilding teams looking for back-end starter types.

    1. I’d rather see the Nats convert Simms to reliever rather than trading him. As a righty coming off a season in which he had a very low K rate his trade value is minimal, whereas if he could get those rates back up pitching out of the bullpen he could help address the organization’s area of greatest need.

      A hint that such a strategy might work can be seen in his 2013 splits, in which his K rate was an outstanding 11.7 in 10 relief stints while only 5.1 in 2 starts.

      1. I would think that they’ll keep him as a starter in the minors as long as he keeps progressing, as he has a lot more trade value as a starter. But I think you’re right that if he makes the majors with the Nats, it would be in the ‘pen.

    2. Simms mixes his pitches well and has a plus changeup — think 10-14mph slower than his fastball. I’m not surprised he’s doing well against hitters who aren’t used to or aren’t facing pitchers who can change speeds like that.

      1. Thanks Luke and Lee for the feedback. I assume that Simms will get an invite to the major-league camp, and he seems like the type of pitcher who would really benefit from the guidance of Mike Maddux and his baby brother, Greg, who I hope Nats can get as a part-time assistant like he was with the Rangers. If these guys become the pitching brain trust, I also wonder if it will open more doors for guys who don’t throw in the upper 90s, like Voth.

  3. Simms has gotten ahead of just about every hitter I’ve seen him face and then gets them to hit “his” pitch.
    He pitches to contact and that helps to keep his pitch total down.
    He is very mature and has a good idea of what he needs to do out there.

  4. Great intel. That makes sense – still figuring out how a guy who is not a hard thrower can strike out as many as he does, when he is on. He had a 14 K performance last year at Potomac and has been on the map ever since.

  5. Greg Maddux did not throw hard
    GG. Good point. Brothers tend to stick close
    Together . No ties for him in Texas anymore ??
    No word on Chad Tracy assignment ??

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