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.

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Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Changeup in the Oakland Athletics in 2010
  • Rated Best Changeup in the Oakland Athletics in 2009
  • Rated Best Control in the Oakland Athletics in 2008

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