Sims and Gant: Elite Strikeout Rates

[nsacpi]

They've hopped around a number of levels of baseball since the middle of last year, so it is easy to dismiss the results at each individual level as small sample flukes. But collectively, Lucas Sims and John Gant have put up strikeout rates that suggest they might be the two starters in the upper levels of our system with the most upside.

Sims had a 10.6 K rate in 9 starts after promotion to AA last year, 15.9 in 3 starts in AA this year, and 10.2 in 4 starts in AAA.

Since his trade, Gant has been at 9.5 in AA, 10.0 in AAA and 12.9 in the majors over a total of about 90 innings.

[smootness]

Interesting stuff. It's especially exciting to see Gant's rate spike way up after the trade and be sustained so far.

One slight edit, though - rather than percentages, those figures are simply the number of Ks per 9.

[GovClintonTyree]

They've hopped around a number of levels of baseball since the middle of last year, so it is easy to dismiss the results at each individual level as small sample flukes. But collectively, Lucas Sims and John Gant have put up strikeout rates that suggest they might be the two starters in the upper levels of our system with the most upside.

Sims had a 10.6% K rate in 9 starts after promotion to AA last year, 15.9 in 3 starts in AA this year, and 10.2% in 4 starts in AAA.

Since his trade, Gant has been at 9.5% in AA, 10.0 in AAA and 12.9% in the majors over a total of about 90 innings.

Per 9, you mean?

[nsacpi]

Interesting stuff. It's especially exciting to see Gant's rate spike way up after the trade and be sustained so far.

One slight edit, though - rather than percentages, those figures are simply the number of Ks per 9.

Yes. Per 9. Fixed.

[striker42]

I don't know if Gant has what it takes to start in the majors. I think that "Vulcan" changeup/splitter thing he throws is a good enough pitch to give him a long career as a reliever and for minor leaguers it's just unfair. But his fastball and curve are both average or below. That will limit his effectiveness in the rotation. But out of the pen an average fastball and nasty changeup/splitter is enough to be an effective setup man.

Sims is the guy who I think could be really, really special. His fastball-curve combo are elite. His upside could be Max Scherzer. That's pie in the sky but he has the pieces to become that.

[Knucksie]

How much will they make in 2028?

[nsacpi]

How much will they make in 2028?

Oooo that was a subtle one...you sly dog you

[50PoundHead]

Gant has surprised me. I was under the impression that Whalen was the big prize in last summer's deal with the Mets, but Gant has really stepped up his game. One of the things to remember with pitchers is that things can fall together (or fall apart) fairly quickly. Look at Jake Arrieta.

[nsacpi]

Look at Jake Arrieta.

Might be the beard. Gant has one too. Not saying the beard is the difference maker in all cases. But sometimes it works.

[Russ2dollas]

I thought Giles would have a way to debunk this by now

Klaw did by saying all scouts he's talked to see Simms ar a rp with flat fastball

I think both have a chance. And we need strikeouts due to our horrid defense