District On Deck
FanSided

Reviewing the Washington Nationals 2007 draft class

By James Simmons

Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park on June 30, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Nationals defeated the Tigers 2-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game against the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park on June 30, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Nationals defeated the Tigers 2-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Jordan Zimmermann could reunite with the Washington Nationals.
Starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch to a Atlanta Braves batter in the first inning during a MLB baseball game at Turner Field on September 30, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Washington Nationals/Getty Images) /

Jordan Zimmermann

With their second pick in the Soriano signing, the Nationals selected Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann rose through the ranks quickly and made his major league debut in 2009. After establishing himself as a quality starter, Zimmermann would become an All-Star caliber pitcher for the Nationals. He pitched a no-hitter, won a league best 19 games in 2013, and had a 3.32 ERA over 178 games in DC. Possibly his best accomplishment was his postseason performance against  the San Francisco Giants when he tossed 8.2 innings without allowing a run (before Drew Storen came in and allowed his inherited runner to plate) in the 2014 NLDS. After the 2015 season he signed a 5 YR/$110M with the Detroit Tigers and had four (maybe five) forgettable years there. He is currently a free agent and a reunion with the Nationals could be in the works.

Jake Smolinski

Jake Smolinski was drafted with the Nationals pick in the second round and traded to the Florida Marlins shortly after. The Nats netted Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham as part of the Smolinski package. Jake spent several years in the minors before breaking through with the Texas Rangers in 2014. In five years between the Rangers and Oakland A’s, Smolinski hit 16 home runs with a .235 batting average. He spent 2019 in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

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