yet another article about Zimmerman

by Ian Miller on Mar 24, 2006 3:09 PM EST

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2381125

I'm already tired of hearing about this kid. Comparing him to Scott Rolen is bad enough, but even mentioning Pujols in the same paragraph is just absurd.

There was a line in the article that stuck out to me, though:

"We racked our brain all spring trying to think of another player who rolled into his first spring training with his name already scrawled in an Opening Day lineup. Couldn't recall any."

Wasn't John Olerud basically handed the starting job immediately upon signing his contract? He didn't record a minor league at bat.

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re: Olerud

The only reason why they might have skipped past Olerud is that he got just 350 Abs that first year. I believe he was platooned with GA Hill and George bell at DH as Olerud only started ~100 games. Zimmerman is viewed as an everyday player. Still, IMO Olerud qualifies.

"I may not be a class act, but I'm an American." Ron Artest on wanting to play for the Olympic team

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Mar 24, 2006 3:29 PM EST reply actions

re:

I would have thought he'd qualify, too. At the very least, you'd think they'd have mentioned him and explained why they thought he didn't.

by Ian Miller on Mar 24, 2006 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

In all fairness....

The Pujols comp was more about how Zimmerman carries himself, the article didn't try to imply that he would do what Pujols has done at the plate.

As for the article I like it because, honestly, young players are overlooked in the mainstream media. There are not enough articles about younger players so in my book any article about a rookie or minor leaguer is a good thing.

In the last few weeks I have read articles that mentioned both Ian Stewart & Alex Gordon being moved from 3rd to Right Field because Tehan & Atkins are already at third. Now it may end up like that but I think it will be because of an organizational need, not because Atkins or Tehan are better.

by colinadam on Mar 24, 2006 4:05 PM EST reply actions

re:

Organizational need or not, I think it would be foolish to move Stewart off third, given the massive improvement he's supposedly made at the position. He'd be more valuable to them there than at a corner outfield spot.

by Ian Miller on Mar 24, 2006 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

players that didn't play in the Minors...

didn't Andy Benes have only a few minor league starts under his belt when he came up with the Padres?

by Terry Ryan Jr on Mar 24, 2006 5:02 PM EST reply actions

was zimmerman ever drafted before this year?

or even recruited? i was just curious if anyone knew

when your ERA has letters and not numbers, it's a bad thing- kevin goldstein

by WakeboardJock @ Minor League Ball on Mar 24, 2006 8:32 PM EST reply actions

BA

Just by looking in the 05 BA book at the back where it has the top 100 college players (Zimmerman is #8) they said he was never drafted previously. Neither was Gordon.

This isn't in stone, just in the Prospect Handbook :)

by colinadam on Mar 24, 2006 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

not drafted

He definitely was not drafted. I've seen enough sources state it that it must be true.

Also, albiet just from one source, I also heard he was somewhat lightly recruited for college too. The only explanation given in the article (which quoted an anonymous ACC coach) said that he was ~150 lbs coming out of H.S. and it was hard see what he would become. I'm not sure I could find that article again if I had to. Might have been Wash Post or BA. Can't remember. But I know I read that...

"I may not be a class act, but I'm an American." Ron Artest on wanting to play for the Olympic team

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Mar 25, 2006 8:36 AM EST up reply actions

Why?

While I agree that we need to see more before we call him the next Rolen, why are you getting sick of him? Personally, it's good to see a guy come into the league that seems like a natural and is unassuming about it. David Wright has gotten the same accolades, and that was before he put up the numbers he did last year. Are you sick of him, too?

Give me a story like this over one about Soriano or Sheffield or T.O. or whomever is making sports look like a bunch of selfish whiners.

by jc3 on Mar 25, 2006 1:57 PM EST reply actions

agreed, but...

i'd much rather read about a young up and comer than a big shot who wants more money...but i wouldnt say david wright got the same accolades that zimmerman is getting now, before wright's big '05...i guess thats kind of subjective but thats just my opinion

by Rob Castellano on Mar 26, 2006 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

re:

I haven't seen as much attention paid to David Wright as I have Zimmerman, but there are some pretty big differences between the two. Wright has been out of amateur ball for years(meaning he's had time to put together a prospect resume), and now has an All-Star caliber season in the big leagues under his belt. Zimmerman was in college nine months ago, and has recorded 58 major league at bats.

I'm not hating on the kid, I just don't think he's done quite enough to warrant the huge amount of praise and lofty comparisons he's receiving. Not just at ESPN, but scouting sites like BA, who put him at the top of their positional rankings after barely 200 at bats in the minors. The really strange thing about all this to me is that prior to the draft everybody seemed to have him as the second best third baseman in college behind Alex Gordon, and prior to his performance on the '04 national team, he wasn't even a highly touted prospect.

Fortunately, he's not in the Red Sox system, otherwise Peter Gammons(who I like, usually) would be not be shutting up about him right now. That much I am thankful for.

by Ian Miller on Mar 26, 2006 2:33 PM EST up reply actions