Simms Granted Carolina League's Pitcher of the Week Award

Salem, VA-- Former Potomac Nationals RHP John Simms has been named the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Week for the period of July 20th to July 26th as announced by the circuit today.

Simms, 23, an 11th round MLB Draft selection of the Washington Nationals in 2013, out of Houston, TX and Rice University (TX), dominated the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles) on July 21st on Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium en route to stashing the league's weekly honor.

The crafty right-hander dealt 8.0 scoreless innings, a 2015 P-Nats high for innings pitched among all team hurlers, and surrendered just a pair of singles and two walks while striking out a season-high 10 batters.

Simms was promoted to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on July 25th along with the number one overall prospect in baseball per MLBPipeline.com, RHP Lucas Giolito and LHP Matt Purke.

In 2015 with Potomac, Simms went (6-6) with a 2.74 earned run average (ranked 5th-lowest in CL) in 15 appearances and 14 starts. Simms submitted quality starts in 11 of his 14 starting outings and fanned 48 hitters while walking just 25 batters in a staff-most 88.2 innings pitched.

Simms also maintained the lowest WHIP (1.07) among all P-Nats' pitchers this season.

In July, Simms held a 1.29 ERA and earned a (2-1) record in four appearances (three starts) with a seven-inning complete game to his credit.    

Other Potomac Nationals who have captured a circuit weekly award in 2015 include: RHP Brian Rauh (April 21st to April 27th), RHP Dakota Bacus (May 11th to May 17th), and IF Adrian Sanchez (June 22nd to June 28th).  

The Potomac Nationals play at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. The P-Nats are the defending Carolina League Champions after winning the 2014 Mills Cup Championship Series. Potomac Nationals 2015 season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2015 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2015 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnics. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!

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