The Franchise

The Post has a good article today on Ryan Zimmerman. The story basically points out that Zimmerman is taking his slow start in stride and should post good numbers sometime soon.

There aren't many good stories about this year's team, but Zimmerman is one of them. Zimmerman's potential is so far superior to any other on the team that it seems appropriate to describe him using George Will's phrase--he is like an Everest in Kansas.

The Zimmerman saga this year therefore will have a number of interesting twists that could have a disproprotionate effect on the franchise's future.

First, as we said last week, the lack of other credible offensive threats means that Zimmerman will get fewer pitches to drive than he did last season. In many situations pitchers will have no reason to give Zim a good pitch to hit when the next few hitters aren't nearly as likely to pound the ball. That means that Zimmerman will either have to chase balls (and thereby become a less productive hitter) or become a more patient hitter (and thereby have fewer opportunities to do some damage). We hope he chooses the second course because it will help him develop into a potentially great hitter.

Second, because Zimmerman is their best hitter, the Nationals need to give him every opportunity to hit with runners in scoring position. The Post notes:

"Through 19 games, Zimmerman has just 19 at-bats with runners in scoring position, trailing three players -- Ryan Church, Ronnie Belliard and Brian Schneider -- on his own team. Last season, he had 34 such at-bats -- nearly two each day -- through the same number of games."

There will be fewer opportunities year because the Nats are just so bad, but when the opportunities come the Nats need to capitalize on them. Enough then, of the cute hit and run with a runner on first, no outs, and Zimmerman on deck. That blunder put Zimmerman up with two outs and nobody on, and wasted an opportunity to give him a chance to create a big inning. As USC coaches used to say when asked why they gave the ball to their great running backs so often, when you have a cannon, use it.

Third, there aren't many players who are so clearly identified at such a young age as their franchise's future. There simply is no one else on the current roster around whom the Nationals can build their team. So, we have the perfect storm thrusting this 22 year old to the forefront: a talent-starved franchise needing a marketing tool combined with a player who could be the best third baseman of his generation (we count A-Rod as a shortstop, which he would be if the Yankees were playing it smart). Baseball Prospectus put it well in this year's edition:

"Zimmerman's range, touch, soft hands, and on-field anticipation rate with the best of the league. Add in that he was the Nats' best hitter when it came to plating runners..., and you've got the face of the franchise, for at least as long as the Lerners decide to afford him."

That's high praise for a 22 year old, but it's all deserved.