Atlanta Braves Top Prospect Lucas Sims Accomplishes His First…

Atlanta Braves top prospect, starting pitcher Lucas Sims, hasn’t had the best start to 2014 and has a mediocre 5-5 record and a 5.14 ERA heading into Thursday night.  Sims is currently pitching for the Class High-A Lynchburg Hillcats in the Carolina League.

So far in 2014, Lucas has started 15 games for the Hillcats going 77 innings, giving up 75 hits, eight home runs, 27 walks seven hit batters, and eight wild pitches.  He only has 40 strikeouts to go along with a 1.325 WHIP.

The 20-year-old had a fantastic 2013 season going 12-4 with a 2.62 ERA and 1.106 WHIP.  Early this season he has already eclipsed most of his 2013 stats…in bad way.

Labeled the top prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization probably comes with not only heavy shoulders but also a target for opposing teams.

Could this and the pressure gotten to the young right-hander?  Possibly…

But Thursday night, Sims took the mound like a highly talented prospect.  Sims threw seven complete innings for Lynchburg against the Wilmington Blue Rocks giving up ZERO hits.

ZERO HITS…if you’re skimming this post and not reading every line, maybe that will catch your eye.

Lucas struck out six batters, walked four and gave up one unearned run.  He gave up a one out walk, then a ball got by the catcher during the following batter .  That hitter grounded to shortstop Daniel Castro who made a fielding error.  First and third, one out.  A ball was hit straight back to Sims who instead of looking the runner back to third, he tried for the double play (probably the right move)…Lynchburg could only get the guy out at second and the run scored in the 5th inning.

Sims handed the ball over to relief pitcher Alex Wilson who also threw two complete no hit baseball.  The team threw a no-hitter and Lucas picked up the win…this sixth of the season.

Lynchburg improved to 38-38 with the victory.  Sims throws his first career no-hitter (though two innings short, we’ll give it to him…for now)