Simmons Named TL Pitcher of the Week

San Antonio -The San Antonio Missions are excited to announce that right-hander Seth Simmons was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week for August 15-21.

In his lone start of the week on August 18 at Arkansas, Simmons carried San Antonio to a 3-0 win after allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out a career-high nine over a career-high seven innings. For the week, Simmons was tied for the Texas League lead in ERA, while ranking second in WHIP (0.43) and tied for third in strikeouts.

Since his move to the rotation on June 17, Simmons is 2-3 with a 1.76 ERA and a K:BB ratio of 64:21 over 71.2 innings. During that stretch (13 games/12 starts), Simmons is second in the Texas League in ERA, fourth in strikeouts, fifth in innings and seventh in both WHIP (1.03) and AVG (.204).

Simmons was originally drafted by Arizona in the 40^th Round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of East Carolina University. The Winston-Salem, NC native spent the first five-plus seasons of his pro career in the Diamondbacks system before getting released on May 20. San Diego signed the righty on May 24.

In 31 games (12 starts) between Triple-A Reno, Double-A Mobile and San Antonio, Simmons is 4-3 with a 2.80 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 103 innings. Prior to joining the Missions' rotation, Simmons had been a reliever his entire career.

Simmons becomes the third straight Mission to win a TL weekly award, joining OF Franchy Cordero (August 1-7) and RHP Dinelson Lamet (August 8-14).

San Antonio returns to Wolff Stadium Tuesday night to open a four-game series with Frisco.