Lucas Sims thanks Braves, fans after trade to Reds

Feb 17, 2018 Lake Buena Vista: Braves pitcher Lucas Sims prepares to deliver a pitch working in the pen on Saturday, Feb 17, 2018, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.     Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Feb 17, 2018 Lake Buena Vista: Braves pitcher Lucas Sims prepares to deliver a pitch working in the pen on Saturday, Feb 17, 2018, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Lucas Sims wants Atlanta Braves fans to know he’ll always be thankful for his time in Atlanta.

In a trade announced Monday night, Sims was sent to Cincinnati along with fellow pitchers Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker in exchange for Reds outfielder Adam Duvall.

After being drafted by the Braves in the 2012 MLB Draft with the 21st overall pick, the former Brookwood High School pitcher wrote on Twitter he was thankful for the support of Braves fans during his time in Atlanta.

“As my hometown team, the Atlanta Braves will always be special to me,” Sims said Tuesday in a statement on Twitter. “I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a Major Leaguer right here in my backyard. I grew up in this organization and have made countless friendships and memories that I will have with me the rest of my life… I will forever by thankful for my time spent in Atlanta.”

Sims went on to write he’s excited to start the next chapter of his life with the Reds.