Junior shortstop Demetrius Sims was the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) player taken in the 2017 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft when he was selected in the 14th round (No. 419 overall pick), by the Miami Marlins.
Sims is the first Wildcat taken by the Marlins. With Sims selection, Bethune Cookman has had at least one player picked in each of the past 3 MLB Drafts dating back to 2014.
This past season, Sims batted .323, with 7 doubles, 7 triples, 1 home runs drove in 23 runs while he was 13-18 in stolen bases. He was one of the best lead-off hitter in HBCU baseball this past season. The Michigan native has great fielding range and finds ways to get on base.