Virginia baseball fans will not have to travel far to follow the professional career of Ryan Zimmerman.
The junior third baseman was selected by the Washington Nationals with the fourth overall pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft which took place on June 7th and 8th.Within minutes of being selected, Zimmerman agreed to terms with the Nationals on a $2.975 million minor league contract that included an $800,000 signing bonus.
"It's just starting to sink in," Zimmerman, a Virginia Beach native, said in a telephone interview three days after the draft. "I've dreamed about this happening for so long and now it has actually happened. It's tough to put into words."
Nationals' general manager Jim Bowden has said that the organization has placed Zimmerman on the fast track to the Major Leagues. Zimmerman is expected to report to the Class AA Harrisburg Senators this week. He also will participate in the Arizona Fall League, as well as the 2006 Nationals' spring training camp. If Zimmerman performs well at Harrisburg, there is a possibility that Zimmerman could get his first cup of coffee in the big leagues this September when major league rosters expand from 25 players to 40 players.Washington's current starting third baseman is 37-year-old Vinny Castilla, who is signed with the Nats through the 2006 campaign. Zimmerman appears to be Washington's long term choice at the hot corner.
"It's a great organization," Zimmerman said of the Nationals. "They've got great fans, and the players I met up there were nice."
Zimmerman led the Cavaliers this year with a .393 batting average and 59 RBIs. One of Zimmerman's strongest suits is his bat control as he struck out only 14 times. Zimmerman's stellar defensive skills also played a major role in increasing his draft stock.
"Nobody deserves this more than Ryan Zimmerman," Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said. "This year he was a team player.He didn't worry about the draft and just played for Virginia. He is the best player I have ever coached."
Zimmerman had a farewell message for his many fans at Virginia.
"It's been a great three years," he said. "I really appreciate all the support the fans have given me. That goes for everyone on the team. The fans have been great this year, and we appreciate that. It's just incredible how the city has changed from just a football and basketball town to include baseball now. Charlottesville is becoming a baseball town, and we couldn't be more grateful."
Three other Virginia players were selected by Major League teams over the two day draft.Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Avery was selected in the 9th round (280th overall) by the Chicago Cubs.Senior hurler Jeff Kamrath was taken in the 11th round (328th overall) by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and junior lefty Mike Ballard was selected in the 47th round (1415th overall) by the Minnesota Twins.
Both Avery and Ballard have one year of collegiate eligibility left which leaves them the option of signing a professional contract or returning to school. Neither one has yet to make a decision, but Ballard's lower draft status makes him the more likely of the two to return for a senior campaign.
Kamrath, who was drafted in 2004 by the Cleveland Indians, returned to school for his senior season and led the starting pitching staff with a 9-5 record and a 2.12 ERA. He sat out the entire 2004 season rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.
"I'm happy for Jeff Kamrath," O'Connor said."He's worked so hard to get back to this point. I know he'll fare very well."
Four of O'Connor's incoming recruits were also chosen in the 50 round draft. Highly touted shortstop prospect David Adams was taken by the Detroit Tigers in the 21st round. He will likely honor his commitment to the Cavaliers unless the Tigers make a concerted effort to sweeten any contract offer above what is normally allotted for a 21st round pick. The other Virginia recruits selected were Shooter Hunt (right-handed pitcher), drafted by Texas Rangers 34th round (1,029 overall),Brett Summers (right-handed pitcher), drafted by New York Yankees 36th round (1,099 overall) and Jeremy Farrell (third baseman), drafted by Colorado Rockies 41st round (1,225 overall). O'Connor expressed optimism that all four would come to school but added that there is always uncertainty surrounding decisions made by drafted players.
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