The MLB Draft is such an extensive process that it may be easy to lose track of what a team is doing after the first few rounds. However, those important later selections can prove to be very critical to a team like the Cleveland Guardians that relies so heavily on player development to succeed.
Coming out of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Guardians added a high-ceiling right-handed pitcher with their first-round selection of Liam Peterson from the University of Florida at No. 19 overall. Later on, in the seventh round at No. 213 overall, they chose a somewhat similar pitcher from the high school ranks.
New Guardians pitching prospect Savion Sims offers intriguing long-term upside, with MLB.com saying arm speed like his is hard to find.
“Sims has some of the highest upside in the class, and many expected him to head to Oklahoma after he wasn’t selected on Day 1. The Guardians are hoping to capitalize on the potential of the 6-foot-8 righty who touches triple digits on his fastball and still has room to fill out his frame. Getting his long limbs in sync and finding consistency on his slider and changeup remain a work in progress, but his arm speed is hard to find,” MLB.com wrote.
Sims was the 20th pick of the seventh round, joining a Cleveland draft class that includes Peterson, left-handed pitcher Logan Schmidt, outfielder Tre Broussard, infielder Kade Lewis, outfielder Lucas Moore, and catcher Deiten Lachance in the first six rounds. The Guardians drafted 13 pitchers and seven position players among their 20 picks.
Sims, who attended high school in Oklahoma and Texas, has committed to play for the University of Oklahoma, so the Guardians will have to convince him to join their organization now rather than reenter the draft in 2028. Cleveland should be able to make a compelling case, based on its success in developing pitchers in its system.
At 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, Sims just turned 19 years old last month, so there is likely to be more physical development over the next few years. MLB.com said that the tall right-hander has pushed his fastball as high as 100 mph, but he does need to work on a curveball and changeup that are in the mid-80s range.
If Sims does someday make it to the majors with the Guardians, he would join recent later-round picks, such as fifth-round outfielder Steven Kwan and pitcher Tanner Bibee, plus fourth-round catching prospect Cooper Ingle, as recent organizational success stories from the MLB Draft.
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