Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman began his career with promise, but injuries and extended slumps have doubts surrounding his future.
When the Washington Nationals drafted Ryan Zimmerman fourth overall in the 2005 amateur draft, they got a rangy corner infielder that had strong power potential at the plate. Through the early half of his career, the future looked promising for the Nats’ third baseman.
Zimmerman went on to finish second in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2006, win a Gold Glove in 2009 and hit 128 home runs through his age-26 season. With two years remaining on his rookie contract, the Nats inked Zimmerman to a six-year, $100 million extension that included a $24 million option for the 2020 season.
Over the next two seasons, Zimmerman hit 51 home runs and posted an OPS of .817. Once his new contract came into effect, however, the injuries began to pile up.
Zimmerman had already received a cortisone shot in 2012 for repeated shoulder inflammation and underwent arthroscopic surgery the following offseason to repair it. He played only 61 games in 2014, and his shoulder surgery affected his throwing so much that he was forced to make the switch to first base.
Zimmerman entered the 2015 season fully healthy, but plantar fasciitis and a later oblique injury only gave him the chance to play in 95 games. That season, Zimmerman’s production also began to sharply decline. He hit .249, a career low, and struck out at a rate above 20 percent for only the second time in the Majors.
Last year, Zimmerman once again struggled to stay on the field and produce even when he played. He appeared in just 115 games, hitting .218 with a .642 OPS. Zimmerman spent most of the season frustrated. He made hard contact, ranking 12th among players with at least 100 balls in play with a 93.7-mph average exit velocity. However, most of those balls were hit straight into the ground, evidenced by his 7.9-degree launch angle on hard-hit balls.
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With MVP candidates Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Trea Turner at the top of the order alongside strong hitters Anthony Rendon and Adam Eaton, the Nationals don’t need Zimmerman to carry the lineup like in years past. They would, however, be a much deeper offense if he can turn things around and Jayson Werth continues to fight Father Time.
Zimmerman has always struggled to elevate the ball when he isn’t hitting it out of the yard. His groundball rate has never dipped below 40 percent over the course of a full season. Zimmerman’s also a streaky hitter, batting at a high average in his best years but still seeing his fair share of slumps. With injuries constantly putting him on the shelf, it’s easy to see why Zimmerman’s been unable to find a rhythm.
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The key to Zim’s success is staying healthy. If he can stay on the field for 130 or more games next season, it’s not out of the question that he can put together a productive campaign. With Zimmerman, however, that if is still a big one.