Ryan Zimmerman

by jc3 on Jun 19, 2006 1:56 PM EDT

John rated him very highly before the season started and I was quite skeptical of that, but considering what he is doing this year, I have no doubt he will be a star in this game. His numbers are very surprising to me. A quick comparison of David Wright and Zimmerman at age 21:

DW: 263 AB, 293/332/525, 17 2B, 14 HR, 14/40 BB/K 6/6 SB

RZ: 262 AB, 286/343/485, 20 2B, 10 HR, 23/60 BB/K, 5/9 SB

A quick look shows that they are very similar at the same stage in their ML careers, with Wright hitting for more HR power and showing better contact skills, but drawing less walks. His K rate is a little high, but not out of bounds, and should improve with more experience.

I'm not saying that Zimmerman will develop into the hitter that Wright has become, but it looks to me that his power has been quite underrated. He also plays a superior 3b, which is backed up both the stats and scouts opinions. He looks like a franchise player to me, and I certainly did not believe that before the season.

The NL East is loaded with young 3b, that's for sure, with Cabrera included. It's pretty hard to believe, but if Atlanta had held on to Andy Marte, he would only be considered the fourth best young 3b in the NL East. Wow...

Speaking of Marte, he's starting to really pound the ball in AAA, and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him up soon with the way Cleveland has struggled.

What does everyone think?

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marte

what are his numbers up to date? last time i checked he was around .250 with only 2 bombs but that was a month ago. im just curious

by FishHead on Jun 19, 2006 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Marte

is HOT. He's up to .269/.332/.450, while that doesn't sound great, he's been killing the ball. He's got 10 homeruns now. He'll be taking Aaron Boones job soon enough.

"Chuck Lamar, you're fired"- Stuart Sternburg.

by Tyler on Jun 19, 2006 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Good for him

As a prospect follower and an AL Central fan, it was tough to lose Chris Young this offseason. But hopefully Marte can fill the void.

by limozeen on Jun 19, 2006 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Tonight

Im going to see the Nats at Fenway tonight. I am hoping the Sox win, but also hoping I see Zimm hit one to me up on the green monster!

I love this kid. He has a bat that is going to develop even more then it is now, e has a great eye which will also develop and is stellar in the field.

In our keeper league I missed grabbing him by one pick and had to settle with Matt Cain then Connor Jackson two picks later.

by ChrisRef19 on Jun 19, 2006 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Zimmerman

Zimmerman is a superb young player. Definitely the best glove of the three. We'll see how Big Z does his second year, once pitchers adjust. I think he'll do nicely.

What's truly remarkable is that these young third sackers play in pitcher's parks, making their numbers that much more impressive.

by Emad on Jun 19, 2006 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Good assessment

Zimmerman was indeed underrated by a lot of people. Keep in mind that the 21 year old Wright was already completely adjusted to pro baseball life, while the 21 year old Zimmerman is only in his first full pro season - in the majors, at that. As if the culture shock from minor league to major league wasn't big enough, Zimmerman is in the process of making the jump from amateur to major league life with barely any transition time, and he's not just surviving, he's thriving.

Marte will not be promoted until September under virtually any circumstance - that's been the policy of the Indians all year long, and I see no reason to change that now. They want to protect his service time clock, and they've been working on developing him as a complete hitter - it hasn't been easy at some points, but it does appear to be working. I doubt you'll see any of the "young Indians" who haven't already seen service time this year due to financial concerns similar to those with Marte.

by mrkupe on Jun 19, 2006 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Question ...

How is MLB service time accrued? Only when the player is actually IN THE MAJORS, or does it continually accrue after their first call up (regardless of minors or majors)?

Please help me understand, this *%$! is like friggin calculus!

by scstrato on Jun 19, 2006 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Only when the player is on the active roster

They could be on the 40 man but not the active roster after they had been called up previously and then sent back down.

by mrkupe on Jun 19, 2006 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

A player called up after the all-star break does not have his arby clock started so it is entirely possible the Indians would call on him sometime after the break without fear of starting his service time.

by Furious George on Jun 20, 2006 3:23 AM EDT up reply actions