Jordan Zimmermann
Encyclopedia
Jordan Zimmermann is a pitcher for the Washington Nationals
. He was the Nationals' best prospect going into the 2009 MLB season, according to Baseball America
.
in the second round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
.
In 2008, Zimmermann had a combined 10–3 record with a 2.89 earned run average
at high-A Potomac
and Double-A Harrisburg
, and in July was named to the Eastern League (AA) All-Star team. He finished the season leading the organization in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average, and was the MILB.com Nationals pitcher of the year.
roster as the fifth starter
; however, the Nationals did not need him in the rotation until mid-April, so Zimmermann opened the season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. Zimmermann's contract was purchased on April 20, 2009, and he made his major league debut that night, after a two-plus hour rain delay, against the Atlanta Braves
. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs
on six hits
, with three strikeout
s and a walk
, earning the victory.
In his second game against the New York Mets
Zimmermann won his second game in as many starts becoming the first Nationals/Expos pitcher to win his first two starts of his career since Randy Johnson
did so in . Coincidentally, Zimmermann was the losing pitcher in Johnson's historic 300th win
on June 4, 2009.
He had elbow pain, and in July landed on the disabled list. After attempted rehab, in August 2009 Zimmermann was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery
, expecting to miss 18 months.
In 2010 he made quick progress. Over four minor league levels, he started 10 games in limited play, racking up just 39.2 innings, but compiling a solid record: 1.59 ERA, 27 hits allowed, 31 strikeouts, and just six walks. On August 26 he was recalled to make his 2010 debut back in the big leagues, where Zimmermann got a no-decision in an eventual win by the Nationals over the Cardinals. On this same day, the Nationals learned that their other young pitching phenom, Stephen Strasburg
, would need Tommy John surgery and would be out for 12–18 months. In Zimmerman's second return start, however, five days later, he pitched six shutout innings, allowing only one hit, no walks, and striking out nine, a personal best. He also became the first National to get through six innings facing only 18 batters.
On May 6th, 2011, Zimmermann pitched an immaculate inning versus the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He was the Nationals' best prospect going into the 2009 MLB season, according to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
Professional career
Zimmermann, who attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was drafted by the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
in the second round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
.
In 2008, Zimmermann had a combined 10–3 record with a 2.89 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
at high-A Potomac
Potomac Nationals
The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.-History:...
and Double-A Harrisburg
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, and in July was named to the Eastern League (AA) All-Star team. He finished the season leading the organization in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average, and was the MILB.com Nationals pitcher of the year.
Washington Nationals
In , Zimmermann made the Nationals'2009 Washington Nationals season
The Washington Nationals' 2009 season was the 5th season for the American baseball franchise of Major League Baseball in the District of Columbia, and the 41st since the original team was started in Montréal, Canada...
roster as the fifth starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
; however, the Nationals did not need him in the rotation until mid-April, so Zimmermann opened the season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. Zimmermann's contract was purchased on April 20, 2009, and he made his major league debut that night, after a two-plus hour rain delay, against the Atlanta Braves
2009 Atlanta Braves season
The 2009 Atlanta Braves Season features the Braves' attempt to reclaim a postseason berth for the first time since 2005. The Braves are once again skippered by Bobby Cox, now in his 24th season managing the team...
. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
on six hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, with three strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, earning the victory.
In his second game against the New York Mets
2009 New York Mets season
The 2009 New York Mets season was a season in American baseball. It was the franchise's 48th season, and the team's first year at Citi Field, which opened on April 13 against the San Diego Padres...
Zimmermann won his second game in as many starts becoming the first Nationals/Expos pitcher to win his first two starts of his career since Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
did so in . Coincidentally, Zimmermann was the losing pitcher in Johnson's historic 300th win
300 win club
In Major League Baseball, the 300 win club refers to the group of pitchers—24 as of 2011—who have won 300 or more games. While the "300 club" is an informal group, becoming a member is among the highest accomplishments a starting pitcher can achieve. Several members retired soon after winning their...
on June 4, 2009.
He had elbow pain, and in July landed on the disabled list. After attempted rehab, in August 2009 Zimmermann was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
, expecting to miss 18 months.
In 2010 he made quick progress. Over four minor league levels, he started 10 games in limited play, racking up just 39.2 innings, but compiling a solid record: 1.59 ERA, 27 hits allowed, 31 strikeouts, and just six walks. On August 26 he was recalled to make his 2010 debut back in the big leagues, where Zimmermann got a no-decision in an eventual win by the Nationals over the Cardinals. On this same day, the Nationals learned that their other young pitching phenom, Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
, would need Tommy John surgery and would be out for 12–18 months. In Zimmerman's second return start, however, five days later, he pitched six shutout innings, allowing only one hit, no walks, and striking out nine, a personal best. He also became the first National to get through six innings facing only 18 batters.
On May 6th, 2011, Zimmermann pitched an immaculate inning versus the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.