The Washington Nationals signed their 4th round draft pick, Miguel Sime Jr., according to New York Post reporter Jon Heyman on July 18.
https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1946323735293690063
Heyman reported that Sime Jr. was signed to a deal that included a $2 million signing bonus, far above the slot value for the 11th overall pick, which was $687,700. He had committed to Louisiana State, but chose to sign with the Nationals.
“It means the world to have been given an opportunity to play professional baseball, and I am super blessed and excited to start the real grind into my dream of becoming not only a professional, but a hall of famer,” Sime Jr. told World Baseball Network yesterday via Instagram.
🚨 The Washington Nationals just signed their 4th round draft pick RHP @MiguelsimeJr today for $2M
Here is our interview at the MLB Draft League All-Star Game. He was on the @TrentonThunder
Sime Jr. hits 100+ with ease and played High School Baseball in Brooklyn.#Natitude pic.twitter.com/2FZhhrzehe
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) July 18, 2025
Sime Jr., 18, was the top-rated high school player in New York out of Poly Prep Country Day in Brooklyn. He was also the 86th-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Draft Rankings. He has an electric arm and throws the ball 100 mph with ease. He set a record in the MLB Draft League with the fastest pitch at 100.9 mph this summer for the Trenton Thunder.
His arsenal also includes a curveball that ranges at 81-83 mph, a slider that tops out around 81 mph, and a changeup at 83-87 mph.
Sime Jr. is Dominican-American and is 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. He racked up 86 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings with an ERA of 1.16 this past season in high school.
After his high school season, he made two starts for the Trenton Thunder. He made a final appearance for them in the MLB Draft League and Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game on June 30, starting the game and throwing one scoreless inning.
His family was a very important part of his baseball journey, and they were in attendance at the All-Star game in Citi Field.
“My father has influenced my journey the most because of how determined he is in making sure that I am doing what is in my best interest when it comes to becoming my best self,” Sime Jr. said.
The Washington Nationals fired their manager, Davey Martinez, and their general manager, Mike Rizzo, on July 6. Miguel Cairo was named interim manager, and Mike DeBartolo is the interim general manager.
The new regime likely hopes that Sime Jr. will help lead their future core as they rebuild.
Photo: Nationals Park is seen in this general view during a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
