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2022 MLB Draft: Way too early draft targets for the Blue Jays first pick

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 4: President Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins pose for a photo after speaking to the media as Atkins is introduced as the new general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on December 4, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 4: President Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins pose for a photo after speaking to the media as Atkins is introduced as the new general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on December 4, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NEBRASKA – JUNE 30: Landon Sims #23 of the Mississippi St. pitches against Vanderbilt in the bottom of the seventh inning during game three of the College World Series Championship at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 30, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Landon Sims – RHP

School: Mississippi State

Age: 21         Height: 6’2″

In 2019, Landon Sims already had a commitment to Mississippi State and ended up going undrafted as a high schooler, mostly because of the post-secondary opportunity and some issues with his control on the mound.

A reliever his first two seasons at State, Sims posted a 1.82 ERA through 32 appearances with 123 strikeouts through 69.1 innings of work. He also racked up 13 saves for the Bulldogs last year and was a big part of their College World Series run, appearing in four games and allowing only one run through four hits while striking out 15 and helping Mississippi State win the World Series.

Although he has been used as a reliever for his collegiate career, Sims will make the transition to the rotation next season. He features a fastball, slider, and changeup in his arsenal, with his fastball sitting in the mid-90’s and a slider that keeps hitters on their toes and grades well at 70. He uses his fastball a majority of the time and he can overpower hitters in the box, evident by his 16.0 K/9 rate last season.

Prospectslive.com has Sims ranked at #23, the same draft spot the Blue Jays have in the 2022 MLB Draft. MLB.com has him listed a bit higher at #19. It will be interesting to see if the right-hander can carry the same stats he posted the past two seasons into 2022 when he becomes a starter, possibly enhancing his draft ranking before it takes place later this summer.

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