Saturday, April 20, 2013

Nats call up Rendon, Zim to 15-day DL

Photo by USA Today

The Washington Nationals have announced the call-up of top prospect Anthony Rendon as third baseman Ryan Zimmerman heads to the 15-day disabled list with a sore left hamstring. Zimmerman had an MRI before the Nats' win over the Mets on Saturday afternoon.

Rendon will make his major league debut after playing just 57 minor league games over the last two seasons. He was selected by the Nationals with the sixth pick overall in the 2011 MLB Draft out of Rice University. The 22-year-old was hitting .292 with 2 HR and 7 RBI through 14 games with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators this season.

Zimmerman has missed the last two games after leaving late in the Nats' game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. In 15 games this season Zimmerman is batting .226 with a home run and 11 RBI. 

Considered a versatile hitting prospect, Rendon stood out in spring training with four home runs and 11 RBI with a .375/.412/.875 slash in 13 games. He also played eight games with the team during spring training in 2012.

Rendon joins the Nationals who moved to 10-7 on Saturday after losing five of their previous seven games. The team's top prospect is expected to start at third and potentially provide a spark to a club battling inconsistency through three weeks this season.

Last April as the Nats were struggling to stay healthy, they called up top prospect Bryce Harper to replace Zimmerman who was dealing with shoulder inflammation. The team lost their first three games with Harper, but went on to a league-best 98 wins as the outfielder won the National League Rookie of the Year award.

Rendon will be the third player selected in the top ten of the 2011 MLB Draft to reach the majors following Baltimore's Dylan Bundy and Trevor Bauer who currently plays with the Indians.

102 comments:

MicheleS said...

Good Luck Kid! Hope you hit a dinger in your first AB

Get Healthy Zim!

MicheleS said...

Ghost, since i know you will read this eventually, How does this impact the Super 2 status? Does that depend on how long he is here for?

SonnyG10 said...

I wonder where Rendon will hit in the lineup.

peric said...

VINDICATION!

REPOST

This is the story about a blog name NatsInsider
Said I made stuff up just to be an upender ...
Then one day the Nats decided ol' Zim needed to move ...
And up from the minors comes a bubblin' true ...

Rendon that is ... Anthony THIRD BASEMAN right Chase?

Bryce Harper was excited to hear #nats are calling up Rendon. Said it sucks to put Zimmerman on DL but "awesome" Rendon's coming up.

LOOK WHO IS RIGHT and all those fools WHO ARE WRONG! AGAIN!

peric said...

I wonder where Rendon will hit in the lineup.

Initially? Likely seventh or eighth. Then when the OBP, batting average, etc climb he'll end up in the #2 slot and Werth will get moved down to fifth or sixth behind Desmond I guess. Until the advent of Tyler Moore.

peric said...

Oh, and by the way? Jeff Kobernus is 2 for 3 batting .477 in the first game of the doubleheader. Wang with a pretty impressive performance he still has 0.00 ERA as a starter in the 2013 campaign. He could be headed for a call up back the New Yawk City. Maya allowed his usual 5 runs.

peric said...

Hahahahahahahahaahahahaha

Told you I would chase them all off of the blog when I turned out to be right ... and they all pathetically wrong.

peric said...

Yes, get healthy Zim. We need that impact bat back again ... the way it was in 2010 and 2011!

Sam said...

Peric, predicting Zimmerman being moved and him actually getting injured are two very different things. And I think anyone who reads this blog could have told you Rendon would be the first call up in case of injury. I am very confident that Zimmerman the resume playing third base when he is healthy.

natsfan1a said...

What she said.

MicheleS said...

Good Luck Kid! Hope you hit a dinger in your first AB

Get Healthy Zim!
April 20, 2013 7:27 PM

MicheleS said...

1A.. we root for the Laundry, so thank you.

SonnyG10 said...

If no one else is injured when Zim comes back, I expect Rendon to go back down.

Sam said...

And, Peric, I can't tell if you're just senile, but Zimmerman had an excellent offensive season last year after he got healthy.

peric said...

I am very confident that Zimmerman the resume playing third base when he is healthy.

I can't tell if you're just senile, but Zimmerman had an excellent offensive season last year after he got healthy.

NOTHING like his close-to-MVP years. Not even close. Just BECAUSE he's been injured for the better part of the season 3 seasons in a row! That isn't good and IT'S WHY HE NEEDS TO MOVE.

I think you're the one who is senile dude. He required 2 cortisone shote to get healthy. Before that he was a hole in the batting order. What planet were you on when these games were being played? Venus? Maybe Pluto?

If no one else is injured when Zim comes back, I expect Rendon to go back down.

This, again, depends on performances. If Rendon is hitting they way he is projected to hit. And his fielding is reasonably sublime. He isn't going anywhere.

Someone could end up getting traded unless they perform up to a certain level. Zim does need a spot when he is ready to come back.



Laddie Blah Blah said...

This is the right move.

Zim must get healthy if he is to contribute to the kind of season everyone expected of the Nats. And Rendon will hit better than Zim was able to, under the circumstances, and he is an excellent 3rd baseman. They need to tighten up the D on the left side.

Anyone who reads my comments knows that I am not surprised. Rendon is both a contact hitter and a power hitter, and he would fit in best by hitting behind Harper and in front of ALR. But Davey is not going to put that kind of pressure on the kid right out of the box.

I think he goes in the 6 slot where Davey had Tracy hit today, behind Desi and in front of Espinoza. Or he could put him in the 2-hole and move Werth to the 5th slot and move Desi down 1 slot, i.e. Desi to 6, Danny and Suzuki staying where they are.

As long as Zim is not able to play his best, either solution is a much better lineup.

This is news that should encourage every Nats fan. Rendon has the potential to be a great hitter. Harper knows it. It takes one to know one. Those 2 are going to be hitting back-to-back before the year is out.

When Ryan comes back, I don't think Rendon gets sent back down. According to Rizzo, Rendon's middle name is Anthony "quick to the majors" Rendon. This happened a little sooner than expected, as did Harper's arrival last year. And like Harper, I think the kid sticks.

Rizzo has had plenty of time to decide how he is going to handle this. He has other problems to solve, both in the batting order and on the defense, especially the left side of the IF. Rendon is going to be part of a solution to either problem, and maybe both.

peric said...

Peric, predicting Zimmerman being moved and him actually getting injured are two very different things

I surmised that Rendon would end up on this team sooner rather than later. Either by injury or poor performance. And I did keep pointing to Zimmerman's shoulder which he has yet to complete recover from? I think my prediction still is very valid.

peric said...

Rizzo has had plenty of time to decide how he is going to handle this. He has other problems to solve, both in the batting order and on the defense, especially the left side of the IF. Rendon is going to be part of a solution to either problem, and maybe both.

Kind of what I was saying but you seem to have found a way to say it far better than I.

And you're right Rizzo has a draft coming up. This might be considered a good problem to have by some but it is a ticklish and very political problem team chemistry wise. It'll be interesting to see what he and Davey decide to do down the road.

peric said...

Meanwhile back at the minors:

@HBGSenators: @NathanKarns back out for the top of the 7th. 11 Ks so far. 1 run. 1 walk. 2 hits. Not bad.

Could be Dan Haren's replacement if he keeps that up.

Laddie Blah Blah said...

"Kind of what I was saying but you seem to have found a way to say it far better than I."

Why, thank you, Peric. I can't wait for that kid to make his mark and make us both look good.

Drew said...

In the words of that famed GM, Lindsey Buckingham:

Been down one time
been down two times
I'm never going back again.

(We can hope, anyway.)

John C. said...

I'm glad that the Nationals have a prospect like Rendon to call up when Zimmerman is hurt. I still say the proponents of "Zimmerman to 1b!" are wildly premature. When Zimmerman is healthy, Rendon will either go back down or, IF he rakes AND Espinosa continues to struggle, he could supplant Lombardozzi as the infield heir apparent. Whatever happens down the road, the Nationals are not going to have Zimmerman or Rendon try to learn 1b on the fly during a pennant race as long as LaRoche (and Tyler Moore - remember him?) are healthy. It's just. not. happening. Rendon coming up doesn't change that a bit.

At this stage the Nats will want Rendon to play every day. That means that if everyone else is healthy, Rendon goes back to Harrisburg (or possibly Syracuse). He's not going to ride the pine when the Nationals already have a solid bench.

Young P said...

Laddie, I agree with you. Rendon should remain somewhere in the infield when Zman comes back once Rendon proves he can match up to big league pitching. But, this call up must be a bit earlier than many expected. How will it affect his Super 2 status, as MicheleS asked? Will he hit free agency 1 year earlier?

NatsLady said...

Trade rumors about Cliff Lee, who maybe heard them and did his best Gio imitation, three walks, three hits in a four-run inning (after two out, of course).

Drew said...

John:

I'm 90 percent sure you're right.

But wouldn't it be fun if he just went off?

Somebody might get Pipped.

peric said...

I'm glad that the Nationals have a prospect like Rendon to call up when Zimmerman is hurt. I still say the proponents of "Zimmerman to 1b!" are wildly premature..

They need Zim to get past injuries and back to what the offensive promise he displayed in 2010 and 2011 when he was reasonably healthy for the entire season. At this point, the best way to do that might be to move Zim to first base and hope for the best.

Now, its up to LaRoche to prove he shouldn't come out of the lineup in three weeks or a month. Hopefully, the Nats will give Zim the time he needs to heal both hamstring and finish healing that shoulder (just as important) and let Rendon play. I

If Rendond is performing well enough I can't see them letting Zim jump right back in when he says he is ready without some work in the minors. But, I guess we'll see.

NatsLady said...

John C, having watched Rendon this spring, I have a feeling the game will move a little fast for him on D--at first. We will have to see if he catches up with it.

Did Tyler Moore get yelled at for not running out the dropped strike three? (I was working). Gosh, the Fox announcers are terrible.

peric said...

(and Tyler Moore - remember him?) are healthy.

Tracy is the backup to LaRoche at first base. Moore is being groomed to play the outfield. Most games in ST he was in either right field or left field. In fact he is likely the guy they put in if Werth goes down.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

where are some places Cliff rumored to be headed?

peric said...

And John C. Who do you think would play first base best? Tyler Moore or Ryan Zimmerman. Even if he "picks it up on the fly"? ~smiles~ Actually, I suspect he would be better than Adam LaRoche.

peric said...

Jeff Kobernus 3 for 4 now batting .489. John C I think you just might see him at second base before Rendon, Zim or even Lombo.

Doc said...

NatsLady, I was wondering what Tarasco was doing, if not yelling at Moore to haul his @@@# up to 1B!!

John C. said...

Who plays first base best right now? Tyler Moore over Zimmerman, hands down. The positions are very, very different. Zimmerman has no experience in his entire professional career at picking up throws while positioning his feet on a base. Of course Zimmerman would be better at fielding grounders. But even the throws he would make are different - the 3-6 throw (which would require a pivot and throw to his right) is not one he's ever made.

Could he learn it? Sure. But right now if my life depended on a first baseman's defensive I'd take Tyler Moore over Zimmerman.

MicheleS said...

NatsLady, Wow, trading Cliff Lee? Already?? would that be the equivalent of the the White Sox White Flag trades? Just amazing.

John C. said...

And Peric, I have had that same thought about Kobernus at 2b ... being picked up in the Rule 5 draft really seems to have inspired him!

natsfan1a said...

I don't know, but I noticed Davey making eye contact upon Moore's return to the dugout and wondered whether a talking-to might be imminent. And agreed on the announcers.

NatsLady said...

John C, having watched Rendon this spring, I have a feeling the game will move a little fast for him on D--at first. We will have to see if he catches up with it.

Did Tyler Moore get yelled at for not running out the dropped strike three? (I was working). Gosh, the Fox announcers are terrible.
April 20, 2013 8:42 PM

realdealnats said...

15 Days of Rendon is just what the doctor ordered. Zim heals and Rendon rakes before pitchers get a bead on him first time around. Everyone pulls a little harder in the same direction. Desi tightens his game up for the kid playing next to him. And hopefully all this entitled SI bs gets put behind them. It's a learning process. And it's a marathon. And were still just 3.5-4.5 behind Atlanta. Let's keep this a dog fight going all the way to October so we stay tough.

mick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mick said...

at last, this kid is going to show MLB how good he is.

ALR's homer was huge today. Bryce is a BEAST. I am getting really ticked at the errors and Gio needs to settle down

UnkyD said...

Welcome to the show, kid....

"You know, you never handle your luggage in the show, somebody else carries your bags. It was great. You hit white balls for batting practice, the ballparks are like cathedrals, the hotels all have room service, and the women all have long legs and brains."

Anonymous said...

Pirates took the Braves; 3 back.

Anonymous said...

After all their pre-season hoopla; neither the Angels nor the Dodgers can be feeling very good. The O's just swept the Blue today.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

I got tickets to all 3 games in Pittsburgh behind home

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

Dodger game only in the 8th

Anonymous said...

Whoops! Can't count. O's don't have them quite yet.

baseballswami said...

Just jumping in on the news after being in an electronic blackout. Darn! I always miss something good. But I figured I would find extreme gloating here, and I was correct. This should be interesting. Is anyone actually saying what is going on with Zim? You know, Ryan Zimmerman? First guy drafted by the Nats? Mr. Walk off? Face of the Franchise? Remember him? What have you fine for me lately? Shiny new toy more interesting.

DWS said...

Nice to have the talent on the farm. Nothing's a given and one can suppose all they want.
I thank Mr.Harper and I hope the boys following have as much success.

Less Platu said...

Rendon Up!!

And Away we go!! hello Future

Less Platu said...

I don't think Zim's out with the 'hammy" boy, this management loves to lie -- it's like a political machine or something.

Zim's out getting his throwing phobia worked out, checked out --

We may may never brother Zim play again

Less Platu said...

Moore not running out the dropped third strike wasn't about on-hustle, I think. Moore's just a big dumb country bumpkin who just didn't realize what to do.

Manassas Nats' Fan said...

it took him along time to realize the facts. The fack Buck ran to the backstop didnt register til it was to late.

DWS said...

By the look Davy gave him, he knows Platu. This will probably be the only time I reply to you. Were you watching the game?

Daylos said...

Zim just signed a $100M contract. The only way he doesn't take 3rd back is if he gets traded or dies. Which do you think is more likely?

The Real Feel Wood. Accept no substitutes. said...

Zim has a no-trade clause. Looks like he's a dead man walking.

baseballswami said...

"Fans" can be very fickle.

baseballswami said...

Interesting star from the game. 7 hits , no singles. 3 doubles, 4 home runs. Now that is just weird.

David Proctor said...

Zimmerman does NOT have a no-trade clause. He received a verbal promise he won't be traded, but we've seen how those can be broken.

Werth is the only player on this team with a no-trade clause. However, there is absolutely no way Zimmerman gets traded.

baseballswami said...

But no errors :)

DWS said...

Good to have Zimmerman's injury looked after now than mid-July. I wish Rendon luck but it won't be third he's looking after.

peric said...

Werth is the only player on this team with a no-trade clause. However, there is absolutely no way Zimmerman gets traded.

However, Adam LaRoche can be traded..

peric said...

Zim has a no-trade clause. Looks like he's a dead man walking.

More likely its Adam LaRoche who many teams might consider of value to add to their current rosters.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

MicheleS said...
Ghost, since i know you will read this eventually, How does this impact the Super 2 status? Does that depend on how long he is here for?

April 20, 2013 7:28 PM


Sorry, first time looking over Peric's blog and saw your question.

I'm fairly certain that Rendon will only be used as a starter and won't be a bench guy for most of his initial stay here which would mean once RZim comes off the DL, Rendon goes to either AA or AAA.

It's the amount of time that Rendon spends on the Nats roster that will determine his Super 2 status and beyond.

I think this is the current Super 2 MLBPA rule:

A player with three or more years of service, but less than six years, may file for salary arbitration. In addition, a player can be classified as a "Super Two" and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of service. A player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season and he ranks in the top 17 percent in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season.

peric said...

ALR's homer was huge today. Bryce is a BEAST. I am getting really ticked at the errors and Gio needs to settle down.

If he keeps it up ... and continues it into the next season if I were Ted Lerner I would get old pal Boras to visit him at his digs in Palm Beach and talk about an extension before things get out of hand.

peric said...

Zim just signed a $100M contract. The only way he doesn't take 3rd back is if he gets traded or dies. Which do you think is more likely?

He gets moved to first base.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Here's the only situation that I think would change anything and that is if Rendon absolutely rakes and looks like Bryce Harper and forces Rizzo to figure something out.

Have a great weekend, signing back off.

peric said...

Sorry, first time looking over Peric's blog and saw your question.

I warned you Ghost maybe you should think twice before ridiculing me eh? As that old song said "when will they ever learn?"

peric said...

Here's the only situation that I think would change anything and that is if Rendon absolutely rakes and looks like Bryce Harper and forces Rizzo to figure something out.

Violently agree. But this kid really can rake and unlike Bryce he has trained himself from the get-go to be a refined disciplined hitter. And now he comes to the majors to a team picked by many to go to the world series?

Uh Ghost why do you think Bryce lit up with a wide smile when they told him Rendon was joining the club? Maybe he knows something you don't?

peric said...

One thing even Ghost can be certain of. If there is one thing even Keith Law says is almost certain: you won't have any more issues with errors over at third base.

peric said...

Good to have Zimmerman's injury looked after now than mid-July. I wish Rendon luck but it won't be third he's looking after.

A history of two fractured ankles says you are likely wrong on that. Sorry but Espy is there and if he or Lombo aren't than Kobernus probably is.

peric said...

Hey Ghost?

Who's the leader of this blog that's made for you and me?
P-E-R-I-C P-E-R-I-C!
Forever let us hold our banner high!

baseballswami said...

And I'm out...

DWS said...

A thought...as much as I sometime enjoy ideas.
Perhaps one should ignore them useful or not?

UnkyD said...

Zimm's no trade kicks in in 2014...

peric said...

Hahahahahaha ... well I warned ya ... it ain't fittin' to ridicule peril. It just ain't fittin'!


At least Kilgore and Wagner showed me some love ... or someone. I now have superfan status on the WaPo site.

peric said...

Zimm's no trade kicks in in 2014...

Three injury filled years? Going on a fourth? Who would take him unless the Nats paid a large part of his salary? Alfonso Soriano has been healthier.

No, they need to get he and his bat completely healthy and see if the Zim from 2009 and 2010 is still there ... given how well he has done after getting reasonably healthy and pain free in those injury filled seasons the odds are he definitely is there.

peric said...

Ah yes life is good.

Greg said...

If Rendon is killing it and Zimm comes back, and they simply need the roster spot to keep them both, who goes down/out? What if the shark still does not have a hit by then? Do they release him? His he out of options to get sent down?

Section 222 said...

Ghost/Michele -- Super 2 isn't the issue, as we know from Rizzo's decision to bring Harper at the end of April last year. The superstars are going to get paid and Rizzo doesn't need to pinch pennies any more. But maximizing team control before free agency is very important. It's not about the money, it's about making sure he's a National for as many of his prime years as possible.

I don't know exactly what the cutoff is this year, but I think I heard the guys on MLB Network yesterday talking about "eight more days" when they were discussing Wil Myers, the can't miss prospect that the Rays got from the Royals in the James Shield trade. If Rendon needs another week in the minors to make sure we have him for an extra year before free agency, you can bet he's headed back at some point, no matter how much he rakes during Zim's DL stint.

If this issue was already covered in the comments, I'll be glad to owe someone a drink. I did a lot of scrolling once I realized that every third comment was peric's. And that was before he started patting himself on the back. I know you're proud of yourself dude, but, seriously, give it a rest.

Great win today, by the way. Oh my goodness that Harper is special. And sofa and 1a, even though I was driving, I joined in the untucking when it ended. :-)

Faraz Shaikh said...

WOW my mind is blown. Ready to see some Rendon action in the big leagues. Best wishes to the kid.

Sad to hear about RZ. He will produce, I am sure of it. He should get healthy and come back asap.

What to say about Harper? He is probably the youngest to have 4 multi HR games. Great kid!

Joe Seamhead said...

Give a monkey a typewriter, he's bound to spell a word sometime. There's a big difference between spelling one word,and putting a whole sentence together.

Joe Seamhead said...

Barring a total collapse, Rendon stays up, just like Harper did last year.ALR still isn't going anywhere this year, Zimmerman isn't going to play first this year, nor will he next year. An interesting twist, but keep it in perspective.

sjm308 said...

Not that anyone cares but I am now back in the Natsjack mode of skipping a certain poster. Its really easy to do and he helps by bolding several of his posts so you actually get a heads up. I am worried about his rotator cuff though because I think he patted himself on the back well over a dozen times. Not that this is something I want anyone to check on but what is the record on this blog for telling everyone and anyone that you are the smartest person in the history of baseball.

That being said, I am excited to see the new talent. I hope Zimm gets the rest and therapy needed for his "cramp" and when he comes back he will man third base in the way he has done so well for the past years.

Big win tomorrow will give us 2 series in a row and set us up for some great baseball at home.

Go Nats!!

tayo said...

It matters not what Rendon does, odds are that, barring any other injuries to other players, he gets sent back down once Zim is ready to play. This is not a Bryce Harper situation. There are no players like Rick Ainkel whose spot he can just claim this year even though like Harper, he is part of the future of this team.

2nd and 3rd are two of his possible future position with the Nats. If/when Zim comes back healthy, 3rd is not an option for Rendon this year. I highly doubt we move Zim to First this year and trade Laroche or outrightly bench.

At 2nd, all you need to know is that Espinosa's leash is that long irregardless of if you like it or not. He has this whole year and possible some parts of next year to prove that his offensive contributions as a starter can improve.

Only other spot on the 25 that I think is in Jeopardy this year is the Shark's bench spot but Rendon is not the ideal player to take that role. Rizzo would want him playing everyday.

So, basically, irregardless of what Rendon does during this call up, he probably gets sent back down unless there is another injury.

Joe Seamhead said...

sjm308, very well said...

Rabbit34 said...

Great move!! Defense will improve immediately. Just hit a little above .200 and nothing is lost there. Heck, with the standards in MLB being so low, starters in the mid and upper .100s is wwwwonderful.

Secret wasian man said...

Sounds like this kid is our savior. No need to watch now. Where can I buy playoff tickets?

original Nats Fan said...

remember last year when Mark had to fly out west because Harper was called up? Will the powers that be send him up to NY for Rendon's debut?
get well Zim

Laddie Blah Blah said...

"Only other spot on the 25 that I think is in Jeopardy this year is the Shark's bench spot but Rendon is not the ideal player to take that role."

But Espinoza is. He's a good field, no-hit kind of player - the kind that usually makes a living as a super-utility player. He can play 2nd, SS, and is athletic enough, fast enough, has a good enough glove, and a strong enough arm to play the OF better than TyMo, Lombo, or Bernie. He is fast enough to be a pinch-runner, as well.

He would be a good PH off the bench vs. a LH pitcher, i.e. a righty power bat off the bench. He stinks as a leftie bat, and he has the stats to back that up.

The Nats could put either Rendon or Desi at 2nd. If it's Desi, then Rendon plays SS. He has a better glove than Desi, and an arm that is just as strong and far more accurate. He lacks Desi's range, but a healthy Ryan next to Rendon would give the Nats a better IF defense where it matters most.

At this point, the Nats would probably get a better return for Lombo in a trade than for Danny. Lombo can hit, from either side of the plate, and can play 2nd at a more than competent ML level. Danny is a semi-permanent member of the All-Mendoza team from the left side of the plate.

Or the Nats could just send Espinoza down. They did it with Lannan, and Lannan was better at what he was doing than Danny is at what he is doing. If anyone needs some more reps in the minors, its Espinoza. He's not getting any better where he is.

Laddie Blah Blah said...

NL - "John C, having watched Rendon this spring, I have a feeling the game will move a little fast for him on D--at first."

Have you also been watching Desi's play at SS? Rendon will be a defensive improvement for a hobbled Zim at 3rd, or for a healthy Desi at short. If Desi's confidence isn't shot, it should be. He's been even worse than Zim, and Zim has an excuse, or two, counting the hammy.

BigCat said...

Get outa bed, get some cofee and check out the Insider. Peric....Peric...Peric...Peric...Peric...man, thats all I see. Bragging about how smart he is. Calm down! If Zim doesn't tweak a hamstring, he's still riding buses in Pa.

natsfan1a said...

Congrats, Peric. Whether the "super fandom" is based on frequency or mass of posts, I would think you'd earned it.

Classy comments (from the WaPo site), but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Zimm.

“I’ll be his biggest fan,” Zimmerman said. “We need him to come up and do as well as he can to help us win. That’s the ultimate goal. It’s a team. This is one of the first speed bumps we’ve had, and hopefully Anthony can come up – I know he can come up – and do fine.”

BigCat said...

Hmmmmm....he was hitting .292 in 14 games in AA. Her's an interesting tid bit. Almost .400 against righties and .071 against lefties. 1 for 14.

BigCat said...

It is disturbing that here we are less than 20 games in and Zim is heading to the DL yet again. What does he do in the off season?

BigCat said...

One thing you did touch on Peric is this kid Karns in AA. After getting roughed up in his first start he has absolutely been lights out in his next 2 starts. We may have something in him. If Haren keeps getting lit up, why not bring the kid up for a look see. Any word on Garcia?

Doc said...

I was wondering the same thing Big Cat.

What does Zim do all winter to deserve a hamsting injury? I always thought that hammies were primarily a function of lack of conditioning.

Obviously conditioning is not a complete preventative, but still??

NCNatsie said...

How about something else? Last night, another problem performance by Gio on a cold night. 54 degrees at game time according to the box. I still think both he and Stras -- the Miami guy and the San Diego guy -- are not able to adjust to the cold. Maybe its the grip, maybe something else.

The good news is that means they'll both be pitching fine in another couple of weeks. The bad news is they both could be problematical in the playoffs.

Is there any statistical validity in my belief? Do we have any super statistician ladies among the Insiders who could put together a graph of, say, ERA by gametime temperature for the two of them?

Theophilus T. S. said...

NCNatsie, et al -- Stop giving Gonzalez a pass. I'm beginning to think they overpaid to get him from Oakland, the cost now being Milone and Morse (to get Cole back). If low temperatures are the problem, trade him to some team in Mexico.

hmm... said...

Shoulder surgery

BigCat said...

Hard to believe that this is Zim's 9th year in the bigs and he is only 28 years old. He should be in his physical prime but...........

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sect222, Super2 and 7 years of team control are alway on GM's mind. Certainly its future cash.

Unknown said...

Zim never seems to be "in-shape" not like Desi, Bryce Lombo. He slumps his shoulders and looks kinda soft. I don't think working out is his thing, but conditioning and a good rehab would do him wonders.

Daylos said...

There is no way that Zim learns 1B on the fly in the majors. Long term he likely ends up there, but that doesn't address the log jam of IF players the Nats have after calling up Rendon. My bet is he goes back to Harrisburg when Zim straightens out whatever his problem(s) is/are.

Someone else that needs to be getting a little nervous is McCatty. Strasburg, Gio, and Haren have all pitched like shit since opening day. They are all having control problems and Haren is giving up hits/runs at an alarming rate. No one wants to spend $14M on a long man out of the BP, but his spot in the rotation must certainly be in doubt if he keeps pitching this poorly.

Daylos said...

p.s. After some reflection, Strasburg hasn't pitched that badly, but he has had a fair amount of control problems.

Post a Comment