Miami Marlins Top 50 Preseason Prospects: Maniac Edition

47) SS Demetrius Sims

How we voted:

KK: Unranked
DL: 47
DF: 32
Expected in Miami: 2021

Six-foot-two shortstop Demetrius Sims came to the Marlins in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Entry Draft with the 419th pick off the board. An Ann Arbor, MI native, the now-24-year-old right-handed hitter and fielder slashed .299/.375/.390 in three seasons of Division 1 baseball.

Sims languished in 2017 and 2018, stuck between the rookie-level and Batavia. A solid 2019 has reenergized his prospect of someday making it to the top level of Marlins baseball. In 107 games between Clinton, Jupiter, (and four at GCL), he put up a decent .268/.365/.412 line.

Although listed as a shortstop, Sims has made 48 professional starts in the Marlins system at second base. His fielding percentage of .965 is marginally better than his .954 mark at shortstop, so its possible he makes a mark at either middle-infield spot. As quoted from a Joe Frisaro article on MLB.COM:

"The fact that he was drafted in the 14th round won’t keep Sims from becoming a top prospect. James Nelson has proven that in one year. Nelson was Miami’s 15th round choice in the 2016 Draft. Now at Class A Greensboro, the third baseman is batting .342 and he is rated by MLBPipeline.com as the Marlins’ ninth overall prospect. As for Sims, his head coach at Bethune-Cookman, Jason Beverlin, believes his multi-sport background makes him a dynamic player. “There’s no doubt, I think his brother (Miami Dolphins draft pick Dion Sims) was a great role model for him,” said Beverlin, who has had about 10 kids drafted in his six-year tenure. “Really, showing him the way, and what it will take to get to the next level. Playing other sports, I think, was huge too. He could have played Division I football as well, at a number of schools.”"

Sims should begin the 2020 season either in Jacksonville with the Jumbo Shrimp or in Jupiter with the Hammerheads.