There are plenty of Nationals prospects who have a chance to breakout in 2026. However, the one I want to talk about today is Miguel Sime Jr., the 18 year old fireballer. Even in today’s world, where velocity
is king, you will not find many teenagers who throw harder than Sime. He routinely touches triple digits, which obviously makes him a name to watch.
Sometimes drafting can be quite simple. When you have the chance to draft a 6’4 235 pound 18 year old who throws 100 in the 4th round, it is tough to pass up. The Nats took that chance on Sime, betting on his upside. He is far from a perfect prospect, but you do not find pitchers with that kind of arm talent in the 4th round very often.
This winter, there was a video of Sime throwing 102 MPH. Obviously, that is special stuff, especially for an 18 year old. It got me fired up about his future. He is still very far from the MLB, but if he is even around the strike zone, he could move quicker than expected. Lower minors hitters would just be overwhelmed by his triple digit heat.
Throwing strikes is a concern for Sime though. Both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America gave his control a below average 40 grade. Pipeline did note that his control improved during his senior spring and in the MLB Draft League. However, he still has a ways to go. There is some effort in his delivery and his arm action is on the longer side.
Sime will never be an above average command guy, but he does not need to be. He has the chance to sit at 100 MPH one day, so as long as he is in the zone, he does not have to paint corners.
His showing in the MLB draft league was very encouraging. Sime was showing a better feel for his power arsenal, which made the Nats more comfortable buying him out from his LSU commitment. The fastball was in the 98-100 range at times and he showed off an improved curveball.
Baseball America even noted that the Nats like the look of his changeup. It is not a pitch he throws that often, but it showed signs of being a promising pitch. The Nats will have to help him become more confident throwing the pitch. Right now, neither of his secondary pitches are anything special, but the fastball is elite and he is very young.
If the Nats can help turn the breaking ball or changeup into an above average pitch, we will be cooking with gas. Sime and Landon Harmon are two power right-handers with insane upside. Getting both in the same draft is a major coup for the Nats.
When you see Miguel Sime Jr., it is easy to see similarities between him and Jarlin Susana. While Susana is even bigger, their builds are similar. Both are massive, intimidating right handed pitchers with triple digit velocity.
Susana developed a plus-plus slider, which Sime does not have yet. However, at just 18 years old, Sime has plenty of time to develop. The Nats know he has plenty of time, so they are likely to take things slowly. Sime should spend a lot of this season in rookie ball. His main goals will be refining his control and finding a consistent secondary pitch.
If Sime comes out with better control than expected, he could make the jump to Low-A pretty quickly though. Rookie ball will not be a challenge for Sime at all if he is throwing strikes. He would just be able to bully hitters with his heater.
As long as Sime’s control is not truly woeful, I actually think his floor is relatively high for an 18 year old pitcher. Guys who throw 100 MPH get plenty of chances, and for good reason. If things do not work as a starting pitcher, you could easily move these flame throwers to the bullpen. Sime should get a long look as a starter before we entertain those conversations though.
Right now, Miguel Sime Jr. is a moldable ball of clay with a 100 MPH fastball. The Nats will be able to test out plenty of secondary pitches and see which one he has the best feel for. They will also be looking at his mechanics to see if there is anything to tweak there. The upside here is massive though.
I actually think BA and Pipeline are undervaluing Sime a little bit. Pipeline has him as the Nats 20th best prospect and BA has him at 24. Personally, I would probably have him somewhere in the 15-20 range. I get that he is raw, but arms like this do not exactly grow on trees.
It will be a long trek to the majors for the youngster, but the sky is the limit. I am so excited to see how he looks this season. Right now, I cannot put a ceiling on Sime. With control challenged flame throwers like Jacob Misiorowski succeeding, I just want to see what Sime can do.
If his control is even fringy, he can be a very exciting prospect. Scouting can be simple sometimes. Take the chance on the giant dude who throws 100 MPH. That is what the Washington Nationals did with Miguel Sime Jr., and hopefully it pays off.
