THE BELTWAY BOYS: it's UVA's Ryan Zimmerman

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it's UVA's Ryan Zimmerman

Another "first" occurred this morning in the history of the Washington Nationals. Picking 4th in the first round, The Nationals chose University of Virginia All-American 3rd baseman Ryan Zimmerman. This wasn't one of those "picking the best athletes available" kind of choices. It seems that the Nats have a definitive plan.

Zimmerman is thought by Nats scouts to be ready to be the team's starting 3rd baseman in 2007. Although his upside isn't as great as some of the other players Washington could have chosen, he was much closer to being ready for major league play, and the Nationals willingly made that trade-off. He's not going to be a superstar, but it is thought he is going to be an important cog of potential championship team. What kind of numbers might he put up once he's got some MLB experience? Scouts seem to point to a .280 average with 20-25 homers and 80+ RBIs. Good but not great numbers. Also, his defense is a MLB ready today.

Remember, Vinny Castilla is signed through next year, and there is no chance that the Nationals would resign the then 40 year old to another contract. I personally have serious doubts about Vinny next year. But team officials are hopeful that as Vinny goes bye-bye, Ryan will be ready. What if he's not? Likely, we'll see Brendan Harris play 3rd for a season, though Harris is better at 2nd.

Speaking of Brendan Harris, this move likely makes him no more than a reserve at the major league level if he remains with the franchise. He's not going to knock Vidro out at 2nd, he can't play short, and Zimmerman is the "can't miss" third baseman now. That's too bad, because Brendan Harris can hit.

So it's a local boy [sort of] drafted first by the Nationals. Hope he realizes that there are many more Terp fans inside the beltway then there are Cavalier fans.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 11:22 AM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?