Ryan Zimmerman

by Jason Vernon
2006-05-01

Zimm
Before he won the third base job in his rookie year this spring, the National's Ryan Zimmerman had been compared to Brooks Robinson in regards to his glove work. While he certainly didn't disappoint with his glove work in April his hitting was leaving much to be desired. Halfway through the month his offensive line read .204/.298/.286 but manger Frank Robinson kept throwing him out there even though he looked like he didn't have a clue at the plate. Robinson's patience was rewarded during the second half of April as he raised his season line up to .242/.324/.411. Good signs included three home runs in six games to end April, a halving of his strikeout rate and five multi-hit games.

Tiger D
Through the end of April the Detroit Tiger defense has proven the most able at converting balls hit in play and into outs. An impressive 75.4% of all fair hit balls have been converted into outs by the Tigers. Chris Shelton and Brandon Inge at the infield corners and Curtis Granderson in centerfield have been great contributors to the team defense this season.

Weathered Veteran
Cincinnati closer David Weathers is off to a solid start as the Red closer this spring. He's eight for nine in save opportunities and has allowed just six hits in twelve innings of work. Since his debut with the Blue Jays in 1991 Weathers has served as a starter (early in his career), a middle reliever (during the middle of his career) and a valued setup guy (more recently). His trek from the starting rotation to the closer spot was completed last year when he became the Reds primary closer and turned in a fifteen save in nineteen save opportunity performance. Weathers has been deadly consistent and has proven that he can handle pressure packed ninth innings.

Sitting Howie
Stellar second base prospect Howie Kendrick was called up from Triple-A on April 24th when Macier Iaturis was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The twenty-two year old has produced high batting averages throughout his minor league career and projects as a probable .300 hitter at the major league level. Kendrick has played in only one game since his call up and some wonder if his lack of playing time may hurt his eventual ascent to the majors. The Angel front office, though, views the move as a way to get the much anticipated arrival of Kendrick out of the way so he can get used to the big league lifestyle for a couple of weeks and be ready to go the next time he's called up - which will probably permanently. It also allows him to get some instructional time working with infield coach Alfredo Griffin.