Landon Sims Turning the Corner Two Years After Tommy John Surgery
The Diamondbacks selected Landon Sims with the 34th overall pick in the 2022 draft. One of the top pitching prospects in that year's class, Sims suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow after three starts and underwent Tommy John Surgery in March 2022. He did not return to a mound until last June, but was limited to 24 2/3 innings between the complex and Class A Visalia with poor results and a velocity drop.
"I'm feeling great right now," said Sims. "This is the best I've felt since surgery. So I feel like I'm finally turning the corner and gaining some confidence back. It's been two years now, that range of time is when people typically start to really feel like themselves again."
Sims describes the process of rehabbing from surgery as "more challenging than what anyone could describe". It's a big mental challenge, as not only is a pitcher unable to compete for the 12-15 months, but don't always come back to full strength. Some pitchers can be back to full strength just 12 months from surgery, while others can take up to two full years like Sims.
One such example from the D-backs system comes from fellow 2022 draftee Dylan Ray. Ray's stock suffered from inconsistent results his first year back from surgery, but a strong summer convinced Arizona to take him in the 4th round. The following year, he pitched well in Hillsboro with a 30.4% strikeout rate compared to a 7.9% walk rate. He's now a consensus Top 10 prospect entering the 2024 season.
Sims will be looking to regain the lost velocity further removed from the surgery. Pitching with diminished velocity, something unusual for him as he could always rare back for 96+ in his career, taught him a different side of the game for him.
"It's finally getting back to what it was pre-surgery. The fastball feels like it's coming out of the hand really good. It's taken a little while to get back to this point, but it's feeling really good, and I feel really strong right now and confident. Just trying to keep moving in that direction and stay pretty level."
Before the injury, he was throwing 94-98 MPH with a lot of carry on his 4-seam fastball and a wipeout slider that gave him two plus or better quality pitches. Getting that velocity back, coupled with the lessons learned last season could prove to be a key point in his development. He's added a cutter this spring, a pitch Sims believes he's developed a really good feel for. He'll mix the changeup back into his repertoire in the coming weeks.
Sims is still in a buildup phase at this point in Spring Training. He's behind most of the pitchers when it comes to facing live hitters. That won't stop him from being a "full go" when he breaks camp and is assigned to a minor league affiliate. Assuming his stuff makes a full recovery, he's the type of arm who profiles well as a back of the bullpen arm.
