Thursday, April 06, 2006

Who Is Ryan Zimmerman?

Ryan Zimmerman is the latest in the long line of Met killers - Pat Burrell, Brian Jordan, Chipper Jones, and now you can add the Nationals rookie third baseman to the list. Zimmerman crushed a Billy Wagner pitch that was up an in, up and over the left field wall. So who is this kid, and where did he come from anyway?

Zimmerman is a 21 year old who last year was pitching for the University of Virginia and is now starting for the Nats and is already being compared to Scott Rolen. He was the first round draft pick of the Washington Nationals after winning a gold medal for Team USA in the FISU II World University Games. He played in 20 games in 2005 for the Nationals, hitting .397 with 10 doubles in 58 at bats. In four games against the Mets last year, he went 7 for 14, including 3 doubles.

Besides his offense, the righthander is also expected to perform stellar defense, with his overall talent making him an early favorite to win this year's Rookie Of The Year award, along with Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and Florida outfielder Jeremy Hermida.

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