Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in Oakland
By Ron Juckett
RYAN ZIMMERMAN
Every time you think Ryan Zimmerman is about to come back to earth, he gets hot again.
April’s NL Player of the month hit .319 in May with four homers and 15 RBI. As the overall offense cooled with the loss of Adam Eaton, Zimmerman hit .366 when making contact with the ball.
The last two weeks, he is smashing everything hard. With a slash line of .341/.378/.512, he clocked two homers in the last five games and fills the void left with Harper’s short suspension.
We marveled together at his remarkable April, knowing he could not keep the pace over a full season. But, the improved launch angle and approach at the plate has continued. Every time he makes contact, it is a rocket off the bat.
His defense is not spectacular. A bunch of throwing errors have not helped the cause. But, if you thought of this team of superstars Zimmerman would be fourth in WAR come June, you are lying. Yet his 2.2 WAR is ahead of Stephen Strasburg and behind Anthony Rendon.
In 1458 career games, would you have guessed this is his first time playing Oakland? Along with the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers, the Athletics are new to Zimmerman.