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| Outfield prospect Bradley Zimmer with the Humboldt Crabs in 2012. An article profiling Zimmer starts with "When people describe Bradley Zimmer, the first two words that come out of their mouths are he's big and fast. An unfortunate combination of words if you were describing, say, a ballerina. Luckily for Zimmer and the Crabs' fans, he's the promising right fielder for the 2012 team and someone with a bright career ahead of him". |
Name: Bradley Zimmer
Date of Birth: 3-15-93 (age 21)
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Previously drafted: 2011- Cubs (21rd round)
Family: Brother Kyle drafted first round (5th pick) in 2012 as a starting pitcher
2014 Stats: University of San Francisco, Junior season: .368/.461/.573/1.034 with 7 homers, 31 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases (but 11 CS as well). 31 walks against 34 strikeouts in 220 at bats.
Bradley Zimmer has five tools. Certain scouts are concerned that he will not be able to make enough good contact against major league pitching, that his poor stolen base percentage in college will make his base path speed moot in the MLB, and despite his toolbox of skills, some have concerns that none play up enough to make him a top 10 pick.
While the naysayers have their doubts about Zimmer, I do not. He has crushed the ball everywhere he has played, and even a rocky freshman campaign at San Francisco showed promise. He hits line drives. He hits for power. He will sustain a higher-than-average BABIP. He has size, speed, and athleticism scouts dream about. He should stick in center, ameliorating concerns about his offensive profile. He has a cannon of an arm, possessing one of the best outfield arms in the draft (I have only Gettys as better on my list) and excellent closing speed. Think Jason Heyward as a good defensive comparison, with a better arm. I actually like the Heyward comparison. They are both tall, lanky, athletic outfielders with power, speed, and on-base ability.
Zimmer should be one of the faster prospects to the big leagues and would share an ETA with Brandon Nimmo (something like late 2015).
Would you draft Jayson Heyward with the #10 pick? Despite his struggles, I would. Right now, it looks like Zimmer is the most likely selection, assuming the top shortstop prospects have been selected by other teams.
Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Getting close to draft day and this is one to pay attention to.
--SG
7 comments:
Stephen -
You and I are purists when it comes to the draft. We both know that the best thing to do is to go for the 'best player left on the draft'.
However... this year... after 9 picks... there still will be anywhere from 4-8 'can't miss players at various positions, thus, a team like the Mets can have the luxury of going for postion and whether or not they come out of a college or high school.
The Mets need outfielders and they don't have the budget to sign another big time free agent... thus, you would think that guys like Conforto and Zimmer are at the top of their list.
Now, I use this kind of logic every year and come up with people like Courtney Hawkins... and what good did that do me.
I love Kyle Freeman if he's still on the board and I'd be fine with either Sean Newcomb or Tyler Beede... but I guess the real need is still SS and OF, so Trae Turner or Zimmer would be my first choice.
Here's my philosophy....
Yes it would be great if the Mets were able to land one of the top five prospects if one was to fall, but that likely won't happen. So, whereas I won't be unhappy if they pick Zimmer, I truly believe that in today's game, you should try to pick the best arm available. If a Beede or Newcombe is available, take him.
Shields, Dickey, Latos, etc, etc.... When you trade a legitimate mlb starter when you're lucky enough to have the surplus to do it, you can almost certainly get back whatever you want in return. Let's say deForm continues to pitch lights out and Gee returns healthy. Come July, the Mets will have enough depth to trade a starter at the deadline to a team, and certainly get themselves back that young great outfielder they desperately need. Like a Pederson from LA.
This is only possible if you maintain a system that continues to pop out legit starting pitching. Forget this year. The Mets have proven to be excellent at developing young starters. I'd bet on that and continue to draft the best arms possible, knowing that at some point you can deal from that strength and take away most of the failure you've had in trying to develop power.
Next off season, the Mets may have Harvey, Thor, Wheeler, Gee, Niese, Montero, deGrom, and Colon at their disposal. They could easily trade anyone, other thAn Matt and Noah, and still have plenty of depth available. Instantly adding yet even more young talent to their growing farm system. By drafting another great arm, they can continue this process and never need to worry about.where their next great hitter may come from or if they'll be able to afford one.
So, I sure wouldn't be disappointed in them drafting Zimmer, but I think the Mets would be better off continuing to develop as many young arms as possible. Now, let's all remember that this front office doesn't usually take the players that are universally considered the best player available either. A no brainer May very well be staring them in the face, and they likely.wouldn't chose that player.
One.more thing...The Mets lost their second rounder and the pool.money associated with it. So, don't be shocked if the make a big reach with their first pick to better be able.to spread the.money around later in the draft. That, to me, would be a huge disappointment, but one I.think we should all be looking for. I think it's totally safe to say that the certainly won't pick anyone they don't think they could sign for.slot money. If a Alex Jackson does slip, they just might pass on him due to that issue.
Charley
Charley, a good point of view, but I for one want hitting. Newcomb as a lefty pitcher would fill a slim area in Mets' system, but hitting is slim too. They have SO many pichers - Harvey, Wheeler, Thor, Niese, Gee, deGrom, Montero, Matz, and then a group of guys, out of which HAS to come at least some mid-range starters (Fulmer, Ynoa, Bowman and several others). And those are just starter types. Pen guys like Morris and Leathersich are intriguing.
All to say - first and foremost, I will take a real hitter to avoid the urgency to make high risk, high dollar signings (Grandy, Young) and secondly a lefty like Newcomb. No catchers please - we have two in d'Arnaud and Plawecki, and one or the other (or both) will work out.
My view.
He reminds me of Hunter Pence.........keep in mind, if we do take Zimmer and he shares a similar timeline with Nimmo, that we will potentially field three CF's types in our future OF (Nimmo in LF, Legares in CF and Zimmer in RF).
All three are plus defensively and have cannons for arms.....would make any pitching staff smile!
The only downside is that none of them profile for plus power, so you would need to add that at a different position.
Anonymous -
and the lack of power with Zimmer sends you in the direction of Conforto, but you will sacrifice speed and defense...
True, Mack......if given the choice, I will take Zimmer's tools over Conforto's. The power is nice, but I think athleticism (defense, base running) has a more consistent impact on the day to day ball club and winning.
Especially if you are emphasizing run suppression (strong pitching, defense) in a huge ballpark.
Charley made one really good point. Ownership isn't going to sign anybody they can't get for slot money. Can you see Fred going overslot?
Thomas -
Catchers are like gold. Good ones are the scarcest commodity in baseball. Look who everyone wanted for a SS besides Thor - D'Arnaud.
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