James Simmons Stats & Scouting Report

IP	717
ERA	4.644
WHIP	1.37
BB/9	2.523
SO/9	6.904

Full name Donald James Simmons
Born 09/29/1986 in Yorba Linda, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School UC Riverside
Drafted in the 1st round (26th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2007 (signed for $1,192,500).

View Draft Report

Simmons was a high school teammate of San Diego's Josh Romanski, a sophomore lefty and the Toreros' No. 2 starter. Simmons has been UC Riverside's ace since his freshman season in 2005, when he won at Oregon State but was academically ineligible at midseason. He followed a good sophomore season by dominating the Cape Cod League last summer, posting a 1.18 ERA. Simmons has worn the label of ace even more comfortably as a junior, winning a much-hyped duel with Cal State Fullerton rival Wes Roemer in late April, when he pumped up his fastball to 93 mph. Usually, Simmons sits at 89-90 mph, but he commands the fastball better than anyone else in college baseball in 2007. Scouts give him 60 or even 70 grades (on the 20-80 scale) for his command. He pitches off the fastball, both a sinking two-seamer and firmer four-seamer, and works all quadrants of the strike zone. Some scouts don't like his secondary pitches as anything but fringe-average, but his slider and particularly his changeup find some takers. His slow curveball needs significant improvement. His toughness and above-average makeup endear him to all scouts. Simmons will go as high in the draft--and as far as a pro--as his fastball command takes him.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

One of the most advanced pitchers in the 2007 draft, Simmons went straight to Double-A after signing for $1,192,000 as the 25th overall pick. He returned to Midland in 2008 and, after a slow start, he went 7-2, 3.00 over the final two months to finish second in the Texas League in strikeouts (120 in 136 innings) and third in ERA (3.51). Simmons has outstanding command of his 88-92 mph fastball, which peaks at 94. He has a two-seamer with some run and mild sink, and he leans heavily on his fastball the first time through the order. His best secondary weapon is his changeup, which has some run and the potential to become a plus pitch. He has a good delivery that he repeats easily. He does a good job fielding his position. Simmons' slider is still a work in progress, and his slow, loopy curveball is just a show-me pitch. He tends to stay a little too upright at the end of his delivery. He went through a brief dead-arm period in May and battled sleep apnea during the season. Simmons will begin the season in Triple-A Sacramento with a chance to crack the big league rotation later in the year. He projects as a solid starter if he can tighten his slider.
Simmons emerged as a top prospect when he posted a 1.18 ERA in the Cape Cod League in 2006, then solidified his status by going 11-3, 2.40 at UC Riverside last spring. The A's drafted him 25th overall and signed him for $1.192 million, then sent him to Double-A Midland and used him primarily in relief because he had worked 124 innings in college. He also went to the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 2.89 ERA and helped the Phoenix Desert Dogs win their fourth consecutive league title. Simmons consistently worked at 93-94 mph in relief in the AFL, but as a starter he's a strike-thrower who pitches from 88-92. His two-seam fastball worked well against lefthanders in his pro debut. His command is exquisite, grading as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. His changeup is his best pitch, ranking as tops in the system, and he also throws a slider and curveball. He's a good athlete who fields his position well and maintains his velocity into the late innings. The major question with Simmons is his lack of a true breaking ball. He gets around on his slider often, which reduces its bite and limits his ability to throw it for strikes. His curveball is too soft and loopy at times, and he didn't use it much in the AFL. If Simmons can develop a consistent breaking ball, he profiles as a solid No. 3 starter. If not, he'll be a quality bullpen arm. He'll return to Double-A, this time in a starting role.

Minor League Top Prospects

If the TL had an award for the best second-half performance, Simmons would have challenged Cortes for it. After going winless in May and June--he was shut down for three weeks with a tired arm--Simmons went 7-2, 3.00 over the final two months to finish second in the league in strikeouts (120 in 136 innings) and third in ERA (3.51). Simmons began his pro career in Double-A last summer because he's exceptionally polished. He has plus-plus command of his 88-89 mph fastball, and his changeup grades as his best pitch. He throws two breaking balls, spotting a slider and using a big loopy curveball to throw off hitters' timing.