5 W’s — From What to Why: Ryan Zimmerman keeps on hitting
Daily article discussing one of the most important events from the previous day of baseball. The 5 W’s will be discussed, concluding with the why — as in why it is important.
What?
As the calendar switches from April to May, the difference between a strong season and simply a “hot start” begins to present itself.
Who?
Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman
When?
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Where?
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Why?
After struggling through the past three seasons with injuries and declining performances, Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman is continuing to impress.
Zimmerman entered Saturday’s game in Philadelphia leading MLB in batting average (.433) and RBI (33), while holding the second-place spot in home runs with 12. Zimmerman’s hitting streak was also at 12 games.
Zimmerman’s first at-bat saw him hit a deep fly ball to center field at Citizen’s Bank Park. Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera made a leaping catch at the wall, robbing Zimmerman of a home run.
In Zimmerman’s second at-bat, however, the Phillies wouldn’t get so lucky, as Vince Velasquez’s 0–1 pitch was sent deep into the left-center field bleachers for Zimmerman’s 13th home run of the season, tying New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge for MLB’s best.
Zimmerman wasn’t done, though. In his next at-bat he sent a liner into right field. Phillies outfielder Michael Saunders lost the ball in the lights, giving Zimmerman an RBI double and ending his night with two hits and three RBI to put him at a batting average of .435, with 13 home runs and 34 RBI, all best (or tied for the best, in the case of the home runs) in MLB.
Getting off to a good start over the first 30 games of the season is one thing. We see that all the time. But for Ryan Zimmerman to have a batting average 54 points higher than the next-closest player (Starlin Castro, .381) is borderline absurd.
Last year at this time, Zimmerman was so tame at the plate that Cubs manager Joe Maddon felt comfortable enough walking Bryce Harper repeatedly to face the first baseman. That wouldn’t be the case this year. An already-tough Nationals offense getting this kind of production out of Zimmerman could spell trouble for the rest of the NL as the season continues on.
