Mississippi State's Landon Sims, one of the top collegiate arms available in this summer's draft, will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Sims announced that he'll undergo Tommy John surgery in a statement released on his Twitter account. It reads:
The past three years have been the most incredible years of my life. From playing 16 games in 2020 before COVID hit, to last year bringing the first National Championship to the city of Starkville, to this year trying to enjoy every moment of what might be my last year in the Maroon and White. I try to give everything I have while representing such an important logo like the M over S, which I so fortunately had the opportunity to wear. From Bulldog legends like Coach Polk and Rafael Palmeiro to Tanner Allen and Will Bednar, each and every former/current player or coach, along with each and every one of our amazing fans I have come in contact with: you have treated me like family and I will pass on that same family love to everyone I come across in the Maroon and White. With that being said, unfortunately I will be undergoing surgery on a torn UCL this week and will miss the remainder of my junior season. Although this is not the way I want my season and possibly Bulldog career to end, I know that it is a part of a bigger plan that might sometimes be hard to understand, but I know I will always find myself going down the path I am supposed to be on. I cannot thank every single person enough that has shown me love, prayers and appreciation over the past few weeks. I owe everything to this University and city.
Sims suffered the injury in his latest start, a short outing against Tulane. On the season, he'd compiled a 1.15 ERA and a 13.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 15 innings. CBS Sports, who ranked him as the second-best college arm entering the spring, wrote the following after his season debut:
Sims' fastball and slider have received praise for forming one of the top two-pitch pairings in the class. His heater features good carry and can touch into the upper-90s. His slider, meanwhile, is as good of a hook as anything written by Adam Schlesinger. Sims has also been credited for his bulldog demeanor, and his feel for the zone. Where he's been debited is with his changeup and his command, a combination that has left evaluators concerned about his long-term viability as a starting pitcher.
Sims' injury won't put those concerns to bed. Nevertheless, he should remain a candidate to come off the board during the course of the first round.
