Crawford Simmons
| IP | 123 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.61 |
| WHIP | 1.407 |
| BB/9 | 4.098 |
| SO/9 | 8.122 |
- Full name Crawford James Simmons
- Born 06/10/1991 in Statesboro, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: L
- School Statesboro
-
Drafted in the 14th round (422nd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2009 (signed for $450,000).
View Draft Report
Crawford Simmons is a Georgia Tech signee who was considered a tough sign in the first five rounds. Simmons' fastball is a shade shy of average. but he's projectable at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, and his curveball and changeup are solid-average with more potential.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
The Royals knew they would have to pay big money to sign each of their top three 2009 draft picks, so they were mostly conservative afterward. They did take some late-round fliers on two-sport stars Lane Adams (13th round), Simmons (14th) and Justin Trapp (34th). Simmons is the best of that bunch. Area scout Sean Gibbs had an inkling that Kansas City could buy him out of his Georgia Tech scholarship, which it did for $450,000. Because he had the potential to play golf in college, the Royals spread his bonus payments over four years per MLB provisions for two-sport athletes. Simmons is a relatively polished young lefty, with an 86-90 mph fastball that touches 91, as well as a 12-to-6 curveball and solid feel for a changeup. His arm speed doesn't necessarily indicate that there's a lot more velocity to come, but Kansas City really likes his delivery, his command and his ability to snap off a plus curveball. He has a chance to develop into a solid fourth or fifth starter. Simmons signed too late to make his pro debut last summer, and he figures to open 2010 in extended spring training before reporting to Rookie ball in June.
