Lucas Sims Bio
Lucas Sundberg Sims is an American professional baseball pitcher who has competed at the Major League Baseball (MLB) level since 2017. A first-round selection of the Atlanta Braves in the 2012 MLB Draft, Sims has pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Nationals. As of 2025, he is also associated with the Chicago White Sox organization. He is recognized for his journey from a top-ranked high school prospect to a major league reliever.
Born on May 10, 1994, in Snellville, Georgia, Sims has built his career in professional baseball through development in the minor leagues and steady work as a relief pitcher. His path has included notable achievements, trade-related team changes, and stretches of recovery from injury, all contributing to his reputation as a resilient right-handed pitcher.
Early Life and Background
Lucas Sundberg Sims was born on May 10, 1994, in Snellville, Georgia, where he grew up and attended Brookwood High School. During his time at Brookwood, Sims emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in the country, drawing attention from Major League Baseball scouts. His performance as a high school pitcher positioned him as a candidate for an early draft selection.
Coming out of high school, Sims was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft, taken 21st overall. He signed with the Braves and received a $1.65 million signing bonus, signaling the organization’s belief in his long-term potential. His background as a Georgia native made the transition to the Braves organization a familiar one, as he began his professional career close to home.
Path to Baseball
Sims began his professional baseball career during the 2012 season, pitching for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves and the Danville Braves. In his first professional season, he finished with a 2–4 record, a 3.71 earned run average (ERA), and 39 strikeouts across 34 innings pitched. This initial stretch allowed him to adjust to professional competition while developing his command on the mound.
In 2013, Sims played for the Single-A Rome Braves, where he started the season in the bullpen before transitioning to the rotation. He finished that campaign with a 12–4 record, a 2.62 ERA, and 134 strikeouts in 116⅔ innings. His performance that year led MLB.com to rank him as the best prospect in the Atlanta Braves system.
Lucas Sims Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Following his successful 2013 season, Sims was promoted to the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats for the 2014 season, where he posted an 8–11 record with a 4.20 ERA. In 2015, he pitched between three minor league affiliates and finished with a 7–6 record and a 4.37 ERA, and was also sent to the Arizona Fall League, where he opened the season for the Peoria Javelinas and started the Fall Stars Game.
Sims opened the 2016 season as the 13th-ranked Braves prospect according to Baseball America and received his first major league spring training invite. He split that year between the Mississippi Braves and the Gwinnett Braves, finishing 7–11 with a 4.40 ERA and 92 walks, the fourth-highest total in the minor leagues. After the season, the Braves added Sims to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
Atlanta Braves Era (2017–2018)
Sims made his MLB debut on August 1, 2017, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs while recording three strikeouts. His debut, paired with that of Ozzie Albies, marked the first time since 1968 that the Braves started two players making their first major league appearance on the same day. Sims finished his rookie season with a 3–6 record and a 5.62 ERA.
After spending time with the major league club during 2018 spring training, Sims began the season with Triple-A Gwinnett. On July 30, 2018, he was traded, along with Matt Wisler and Preston Tucker, to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Adam Duvall. His MLB stint with the Braves included brief rotation consideration by manager Brian Snitker before the trade.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2018–2024)
After joining the Reds, Sims spent most of the remainder of 2018 with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, making only three appearances for Cincinnati. In 2019, he made 24 appearances and posted a 2–1 record with a 4.60 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 43 innings. The 2020 season saw him go 3–0 with a 2.45 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 25⅔ innings over 20 relief appearances.
In 2021, Sims went 5–3 with a 4.60 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 47 innings, while also gaining attention for repeatedly asking home plate umpire Jerry Meals for a new baseball during a rain-soaked home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, eventually prompting a rain delay. After struggling to a 9.45 ERA in limited action in 2022, he underwent season-ending surgery for a herniated disc in his back. Returning in April 2023, Sims appeared in 67 games out of the bullpen, compiling a 7–3 record, a 3.10 ERA, and 72 strikeouts across 61 innings. In 2024, he recorded a 3.57 ERA in 35⅓ innings for Cincinnati before being traded to Boston on July 30, 2024, in exchange for minor league pitcher Ovis Portes.
Boston Red Sox Era (2024)
Following the midseason trade, Sims joined the Boston Red Sox bullpen. In 15 appearances for Boston, he recorded an 0–2 record, a 6.43 ERA, and 9 strikeouts over 14 innings of work.
Washington Nationals Era (2025)
On February 19, 2025, Sims signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals. In 18 appearances for Washington, he posted a 13.86 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 12⅓ innings pitched. Sims was placed on release waivers by the Nationals on May 9, 2025.
Philadelphia Phillies Era (2025)
On May 20, 2025, Sims signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He made 34 appearances for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, compiling a 4–1 record, a 5.56 ERA, 36 strikeouts, and one save over 34 innings of work. Sims elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.
Chicago White Sox Era (2026)
On January 30, 2026, Sims signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. He was released prior to the start of the regular season on March 20, 2026, before re-signing with the organization two days later on a new minor league contract. On April 1, the White Sox selected his contract and added him to the active roster. In nine appearances for Chicago, Sims posted an 0–2 record, a 4.50 ERA, and 10 strikeouts across 10 innings. He was designated for assignment on April 23, cleared waivers, and elected free agency on April 25, before re-signing with the White Sox organization on a minor league contract two days later.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sims has built his major league career primarily as a relief pitcher, relying on his ability to miss bats and generate strikeouts in high-leverage innings. His most productive seasons in Cincinnati showcased his effectiveness in late-inning relief, including a 3.10 ERA across 67 appearances in 2023. Throughout his time in professional baseball, he has demonstrated durability, command growth, and the ability to bounce back from injury setbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Sims’s most memorable on-field moments came during a 2021 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, when he repeatedly requested new baseballs due to wet conditions, ultimately prompting a rain delay. His 2017 debut alongside Ozzie Albies also stands as a notable franchise milestone for the Braves. Sims has continued to demonstrate perseverance through multiple injuries and team transitions throughout his career.
Lucas Sims Career Wins
Across his MLB career, Lucas Sims has accumulated a 23–21 win–loss record, a 4.85 ERA, and 376 strikeouts. His wins have been distributed across multiple organizations, with his most productive stretches coming in relief roles for the Cincinnati Reds. Sims has continued to compete professionally as a relief pitcher into the 2026 season.
Atlanta Braves Highlights
During his time with the Atlanta Braves organization, Sims pitched in the major leagues in 2017 and the first half of 2018. He posted a 3–6 record with a 5.62 ERA in his rookie season. His MLB debut on August 1, 2017, against the Los Angeles Dodgers remains a defining early-career moment.
Cincinnati Reds Highlights
Sims recorded his most consistent major league work with the Cincinnati Reds. Across multiple seasons with the club, he posted strong relief numbers, including a 3–0 mark with a 2.45 ERA in 2020 and a 7–3 record with a 3.10 ERA in 2023. In 2024, he maintained a 3.57 ERA in 35⅓ innings before being traded to the Red Sox.
Lucas Sims Family
Personal Life
Lucas Sims married his wife, Dani, in 2017. The couple has maintained a private personal life away from the public spotlight. Sims was born and raised in Snellville, Georgia, and has remained connected to his home state throughout his professional baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Sims signing a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Nationals in February. His time in Washington proved brief and difficult, as he posted a 13.86 ERA across 18 appearances before being placed on release waivers on May 9, 2025. Shortly after, Sims signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and finished the year in the Triple-A Lehigh Valley bullpen.
With Lehigh Valley, Sims compiled a 4–1 record, a 5.56 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 34 innings over 34 appearances. He elected free agency on November 6, 2025, closing out his major league stops for the year. Looking ahead, Sims signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox in January 2026, continuing his bid to return to a major league roster.