#25 2020 Prospect: Bruce Zimmermann - LHP

[Tony-OH]

https://www.orioleshangout.com/2020/10/28/25-2020-prospect-bruce-zimmermann-lhp/

[LookinUp]

#25 has a solid chance of being a useful contributor to our ML team, and soon. Gotta like that. He's a good arm to have in the system for sure.

[HowAboutThat]

I’m not going to disagree, But I have a question, “prospect” is someone who has major league potential, and it would seem to me that somebody who has already made the major leagues, which is the biggest hurdle, would have higher prospect status than someone who is still in the wings, even if the person in the wings has a much higher ceiling. And Zimmerman wasn’t too bad in his debut, especially considering all the circumstances. I’m surprised he’s so low.

[wildcard]

The write up makes me think that he is not a starter that Hyde would want to rely on every 5th day.  Maybe more of a swingman.  So that makes it more likely the O's sign a Milone type to begin the season or maybe Milone himself if they can get him for a million for one year.

[ArtVanDelay]

1 hour ago, wildcard said:

The write up makes me think that he is not a starter that Hyde would want to rely on every 5th day.  Maybe more of a swingman.  So that makes it more likely the O's sign a Milone type to begin the season or maybe Milone himself if they can get him for a million for one year.

A million for Tommy Milone?

He’ll be lucky to get a minor league contract from someone. 

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, Philip said:

I’m not going to disagree, But I have a question, “prospect” is someone who has major league potential, and it would seem to me that somebody who has already made the major leagues, which is the biggest hurdle, would have higher prospect status than someone who is still in the wings, even if the person in the wings has a much higher ceiling. And Zimmerman wasn’t too bad in his debut, especially considering all the circumstances. I’m surprised he’s so low.

That’s not the way these guys get graded.   Yes you get some credit for how high you’ve gotten in the system, but ultimately the grades are about (1) your expected outcome, and (2) your ceiling.   Zimmermann has made it to the majors, which is great, but his most likely role is a swing man.   Other guys have more potential, if less certainty of reaching the majors.    

That said, almost every guy on the list from no. 12 through no. 26 has been graded 45 FV/50 ceiling, so we are really splitting hairs here.   The only exceptions are Baumler and Mayo (both graded 50/60) who haven’t played beyond high school yet so there’s a lot of uncertainty there, and Hernaiz (45/55) who hasn’t played above the GCL.   Those are guys who could move up or down the list pretty significantly next year.   
 

[Tony-OH]

3 hours ago, Philip said:

I’m not going to disagree, But I have a question, “prospect” is someone who has major league potential, and it would seem to me that somebody who has already made the major leagues, which is the biggest hurdle, would have higher prospect status than someone who is still in the wings, even if the person in the wings has a much higher ceiling. And Zimmerman wasn’t too bad in his debut, especially considering all the circumstances. I’m surprised he’s so low.

While having success at higher levels or the minor leagues or even in a taste of the big league is part of the evaluation process and lessens the risk profile of players, it is not the only criteria for placement on the list above another prospect.

If you concerned over him being behind Kevin Smith, I'll tell you, I could have easily built a case for either to be above the other. They are very similar prospects as their scouting grades would show you. Smith gets the slight nod for being at more advance stage when he was 22 than Zimmermann was and for the the better slider command that gives him a better chance at his floor.