Athletes - Ryan Zimmerman

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	Athletes - Ryan Zimmerman

Ryan Zimmerman (Born September 28, 1984 in Washington, NC) was the first first-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals. A 6-foot 3-inch third baseman from the University of Virginia, Zimmerman is touted as a major league prospect for his defensive abilities and contact hitting.

Zimmerman's mother Cheryl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995, and has been in a wheelchair since 2000. Zimmerman has cited his mother's condition as a substantial formative influence on his development, saying that it forced him to grow up and assume responsibilites at an earlier age than most children.

College career

A three-year third baseman for the University of Virginia Cavaliers in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Ryan Zimmerman started in all 174 games he appeared in, and his collegiate career statistics include 250 hits, 140 RBI, 128 runs, 47 doubles, seven triples and nine home runs. He was successful on 32 of 39 stolen base attempts. His career totals are among the top ten in Virginia statistical categories for doubles (5th), hits (6th) and RBI (7th). Ryan established the school record of hits in a season with 90 in 2004, breaking his own record with 92 in 2005.

In his final collegiate season, Ryan led the Cavaliers with a .393 average, .581 slugging percentage, 136 total bases, 92 hits, 59 RBI, and 51 runs. He coupled his high batting average with striking out just 14 times in the full season.

Zimmerman’s collegiate awards and honors include 2005 All-American by Baseball America, 2005 All-American by National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, 2005 All-ACC selection, 2005 ACC All-Tournament Team and 2005 Virginia College Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Player of the Year. He was also a 2004 First Team All-ACC selection, 2004 VaSID All-State Team selection and named to the 2004 Charlottesville NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team.

USA Baseball

Ryan Zimmerman started at third base for the 2004 USA Baseball National Team that won the gold medal in the FISU II World University Baseball Championships. Zimmerman’s summer with Team USA included starting 18 of 24 games and leading the team in batting average (.468), hits (36), RBI (27), runs (25), doubles (12), home runs (4), slugging percentage (.805) and total bases (62). He also posted a .933 fielding percentage and won the team Triple Crown.

Zimmerman’s .468 batting average set a National Team single-season record and was a factor in his earning the FISU II World University Games tournament MVP.

His performance with Team USA led to Ryan Zimmerman being named the 2004 "Dick Case" Athlete of the Year by USA Baseball.

Professional career

Drafted in the first round as the fourth overall pick by the Washington Nationals in the 2005 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft. After being signed on the day he was drafted, he was sent to the Savahnnah Sand Gnats - the Nationals minor league A affiliate and then quickly moved up to the Harrisburg Senators - the Nationals' AA minor league baseball affiliate.

The Teutonic nature of his last name, coupled with some old baseball traditions, has led to several fans giving him the nickname "Dutch". Other fans prefer a less creative nickname, using a shortened form of his last name, either "Zimm" or "Zimms". It is unknown where he stands on this subject, and is cause for some debate.

Zimmerman was called up to the majors when rosters expanded in September 2005, and shared third base duties with Vinny Castilla, taking over the position on a more permanent basis between the time the Nationals were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and the end of the season. Over the course of 20 games, he posted a .397 batting average, 10 doubles, and 6 RBIs in 58 at bats.

He is expected to remain with the major league club for the 2006 campaign, taking over third base duties from the traded Castilla. Prior to 2006 Spring Training, Zimmerman changed his jersey number from #25 (2005) to #11, his former college number.

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Athletes - Ryan Zimmerman

College career

USA Baseball

Professional career

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