Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman is a Week One Surprise

By Bill Pivetz | Apr 11, 2017

Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) reacts after scoring a run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Nationals offense continues to impress after week one. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman is on fire and is worth adding in deeper leagues.

The Washington Nationals are the likely favorite to win the National League East. The starting rotation is one of the best. The bullpen needs a clear-cut closer but is solid. However, I think the strongest part of this team is the offense. Outside of the star players, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is crushing the ball after the first week.

With some other first basemen struggling out of the gate, Zimmerman is someone worth adding to fill in the gaps. He is owned in just 25 percent of leagues and could give you a nice boost in your week two head-to-head matchup.

Zimmerman hasn’t played a full season since 2013. Even in his shortened seasons, he provided owners with decent fantasy productions. Between 2015 and 2016, 210 games, he hit 31 home runs, 119 RBI, 103 runs scored and a .232/.288/.413 line.

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This season is off to the right start. He’s played in all seven of the Nationals games. Zimmerman has a .400/.444/.840 line with three home runs, six RBI and six runs scored. He leads his team in home runs and tied with Jayson Werth for second in RBI.

I don’t recommend dropping any struggling first baseman you drafted ahead of Zimmerman. Considering he wasn’t drafted in many leagues, that’s hard to do. Though, guys like Greg Bird, Tommy Joseph and C.J. Cron are being dropped in 10 to 20 percent of leagues. It’s too soon to make those kinds of decisions.

However, if there is a player you drafted last or just picked off the waiver wire struggling, then definitely add Zimmerman while he’s hot. I always say you win your league on draft day, but you win the head-to-head matchups through the waiver wire.

Zimmerman does lack plate discipline. He has eight strikeouts and two walks this season. He hasn’t had a walk rate over 10 percent since 2011. Zimmerman has had a strikeout rate under 16 percent just twice in his career. If you’re in a league that penalizes strikeouts, you may want to stay away from Zimmerman.

Next: Joaquin Benoit is the new Phillies closer

It’s hard to gauge where players stand after just one week. Regardless, I like to jump on the hitters that are making contact early and then drop them when they begin to slump. You didn’t invest a lot in Zimmerman, so the risk is very low. Act now and reap the benefits for however long they last.

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