Lucas Sims making 'progress' with command

After opening the year as a reliever, Braves' 2012 first-round pick Lucas Sims has gone 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and .227 opponents' batting average in 12 starts for Class A Rome. Overall, he is 6-4 with a 3.17 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings.

"I'm loving it so far, and I'm learning a lot," Sims said, per MLB.com. "My goal is to make progress every time I go out there. I've improved my command -- that's been the biggest thing I've accomplished so far this season."

Sims appears overly happy about his progress with his command. He's walked 35 batters in 22 outings (12 starts).

"The times I've struggled have happened because of walks, which seem to come around and bite you in the butt," he said. "I've been trying to eliminate those while filling up the zone with all three pitches."