Josh Simpson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #24 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Simpson pitched three seasons at Columbia and was signed for $25,000 in the 32nd round of the 2019 draft. He missed the 2018 season with Tommy John surgery but rebounded the following spring to go 4-3, 3.06 with the Lions in 10 starts. He's made a handful of starts as a pro but the bulk of his work has been out of the bullpen. The Marlins added him to the 40-man roster after the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Simpson works predominantly with two pitches: a four-seam fastball that sits around 95 mph and touches a few ticks higher and a nasty sweeper curveball in the low 80s. He works with a curveball-heavy approach and threw the breaker 56% of the time. Considering the curveball garnered a whiff rate of 50%, the philosophy seems sound. He also very sparingly sprinkled in a low-90s cutter as an extra weapon against righthanders, who hit him hard in a small sample at Triple-A. He needs to iron out his control and command--specifically of his fastball--to have success in the leagues. He issued fewer walks but allowed more hits after a promotion from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Jacksonville.
  
  The Future: Simpson is likely to return to Jacksonville for more seasoning but could fit as a middle-innings reliever--especially against lefties--if he makes gains with his control and command.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Cutter: 30. Control: 40

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Simpson pitched three seasons at Columbia and was signed for $25,000 in the 32nd round of the 2019 draft. He missed the 2018 season with Tommy John surgery but rebounded the following spring to go 4-3, 3.06 with the Lions in 10 starts. He's made a handful of starts as a pro but the bulk of his work has been out of the bullpen. The Marlins added him to the 40-man roster after the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Simpson works predominantly with two pitches: a four-seam fastball that sits around 95 mph and touches a few ticks higher and a nasty sweeper curveball in the low 80s. He works with a curveball-heavy approach and threw the breaker 56% of the time. Considering the curveball garnered a whiff rate of 50%, the philosophy seems sound. He also very sparingly sprinkled in a low-90s cutter as an extra weapon against righthanders, who hit him hard in a small sample at Triple-A. He needs to iron out his control and command--specifically of his fastball--to have success in the leagues. He issued fewer walks but allowed more hits after a promotion from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Jacksonville.
  
  The Future: Simpson is likely to return to Jacksonville for more seasoning but could fit as a middle-innings reliever--especially against lefties--if he makes gains with his control and command.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Cutter: 30. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Simpson pitched three seasons at Columbia and was signed for $25,000 in the 32nd round of the 2019 draft. He missed the 2018 season with Tommy John surgery but rebounded the following spring to go 4-3, 3.06 with the Lions in 10 starts. He's made a handful of starts as a pro but the bulk of his work has been out of the bullpen. The Marlins added him to the 40-man roster after the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Simpson works predominantly with two pitches: a four-seam fastball that sits around 95 mph and touches a few ticks higher and a nasty sweeper curveball in the low 80s. He works with a curveball-heavy approach and threw the breaker 56% of the time. Considering the curveball garnered a whiff rate of 50%, the philosophy seems sound. He also very sparingly sprinkled in a low-90s cutter as an extra weapon against righthanders, who hit him hard in a small sample at Triple-A. He needs to iron out his control and command--specifically of his fastball--to have success in the leagues. He issued fewer walks but allowed more hits after a promotion from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Jacksonville.
  
  The Future: Simpson is likely to return to Jacksonville for more seasoning but could fit as a middle-innings reliever--especially against lefties--if he makes gains with his control and command.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 60. Cutter: 30. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/Medium
  
  May Update: Simpson, the Marlins&#39 32nd-round pick in 2019 out of Columbia, has been one of the best relievers in the minors this season. The lefthander had struck out 29 hitters through his first 15.2 innings by utilizing his dynamic combination of a fastball that has peaked at 96 mph and a nasty, sweeping breaking ball. He also has a cutter and changeup as supplementary pieces to his mix.