Draft Prospect of the Day: Kyle Zimmer

by Matt Garrioch on Apr 16, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Zimmer is built in the power pitcher mold at 6'4", 220 LBS and has the fastball to go along with it. Sitting 92-96 and reportedly reaching triple digits on occasion. He is this year's biggest riser essentially coming out of nowhere within the last year. He pitched very little his freshman year, and some last season. He has done well both of the last two years in summer leagues, especially last year in Cape Cod. He is an athletic pitcher who was a solid hitter prior to going to the mound full time and making himself into a top of the draft talent.

Along with this hard fastball, he has a power slider that is very good at times but is inconsistent. It can be near un-hittable when low in the zone but he has a hard time pin pointing it. His changeup is rudimentary and will need time to develop as well. His command has potential but is inconsistent. His athleticism should help it come along quicker but he is a project.

I am always skeptical of fast risers like this. I believe he is for real but needs to be looked at as if he is a good high school pitcher more than a polished college pitcher. I think he will need more development time than many college arms and it would not shock me to see him end up in the back of a bullpen with two plus pitches.

That said, he has been talked about as a 1-1 candidate. I would place him at the back of the top 10.

Kyle Zimmer Prospect Video (via Fidog91)

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Comments

No mention of his fantastic curve?

I’ve seen more than a few reports that it might be the best curve in the entire draft.

by RynoRooter on Apr 16, 2025 11:54 AM EDT reply actions

I've seen that written a few times, as well.

"The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world."- Hermann Hesse, "Demian".

by Stupendous Man on Apr 16, 2025 1:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That's what I refer

to as his power slider. It is a hard breaker that has both horizontal and vertical movement. It is nasty when he commands it.
I can see where some people say it’s the best in the draft. I prefer Stroman’s due to consistency but it is a serious weapon.

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by Matt Garrioch on Apr 16, 2025 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

College Arms

Where does he rank? Top five right now sounds about right. My top five:
1. Gausman
2. Appel
3. Stroman
4. Zimmer
5. Heaney

by cookiedabookie on Apr 16, 2025 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

SoCalSoxFan

got some Zimmer video that was pretty enlightening. I didn’t like the rock back at the beginning of his wind-up, and I think it might contribute to some light command issues. He actually looked better from the stretch to me, probably because he was truly set, which is what leads me to believe that he can have solid command long term. Really live, loose arm. He’s a keeper.

by charles wallace on Apr 16, 2025 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm

I see the video has ended up in the piece. There you go…

by charles wallace on Apr 17, 2025 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Good lookin out :)

Was there with my daughter for a few innings… Also caught some of matzek/Roach last night, hard to get a great look with her with me, but a few innings is better than none.

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by SoCalSoxFan on Apr 17, 2025 12:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Personal opinion

I’d put Zimmer ahead of Stroman and maybe Gausman. Stroman profiles as a reliever, so has less value inherently. Gausman is prone to command issues with no apparent advantage in stuff.

Duh, no doy.

by Mike Kaluk on Apr 16, 2025 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I suppose you thought Tim Lincecum profiled as a reliever, too?

"The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world."- Hermann Hesse, "Demian".

by Stupendous Man on Apr 16, 2025 1:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

RP

Stroman is only being profiled that way due to his size. He very well could end up there but the same could be said for every pitching prospect.

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by Matt Garrioch on Apr 16, 2025 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

BA has him #1 in their updated top 60.

XandyMan Coming for you!!!!1

by DominicanDandy on Apr 16, 2025 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

BA has him at #3 in their updated Top 60.

Buxton is at #1.

"The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world."- Hermann Hesse, "Demian".

by Stupendous Man on Apr 16, 2025 1:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He's the #1 pitcher

which is what I was responding to.

XandyMan Coming for you!!!!1

by DominicanDandy on Apr 16, 2025 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah. I see.

"The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world."- Hermann Hesse, "Demian".

by Stupendous Man on Apr 16, 2025 2:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, I'd go

1. Gausman
2. Stroman
3. Zimmer
4. Appel
5. Heaney

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by Matt Garrioch on Apr 16, 2025 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Zimmer is fantastic

Let’s not ignore what he has done this year statistically. 65 strikeouts and only 10 walks in 61 innings. 2.79 ERA/3.04 FIP. I actually disagree that he is going to need extensive development time because of the ability he has already shown to make radical adjustments to his mechanics in one offseason and go from position player to dominant college ace in a very short span of time.

My concern with Zimmer is mainly that I have him as an above average injury risk. If not for that, I think he would be STRONGLY in the conversation for 1-1. I think he is still in the discussion but not one of the top favorites

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by OremLK on Apr 16, 2025 2:12 PM EDT reply actions