Means and Zimmermann

[Frobby]

I’m getting a bit ahead of myself here, but wouldn’t it be something if Means and Zimmermann turned out to be two mainstays of our rotation?   Following the 2018 season (his last in the minors), Means barely made the OH top 30, squeezing in at 28th.   Zimmermann wasn’t ranked at all on that list after joining the organization at the end of July.  After a solid 2019 season he moved up to 20th on the 2019 list and was pushed down to 25th after last season following numerous acquisitions by Elias.   

Despite all that, both these guys have managed to gain velocity on their fastballs, sharpen up other pitches and possibly prove to be better than their rankings have suggested.   Means already has exceeded all expectations (though he still has more to prove).   Whether Zimmermann can join Means in that category remains to be seen, but he’s sure having one heck of a spring so far, so we can dream on it.   

In a world where so many top prospects don’t pan out, it’s really fun when a guy who’s pretty far down the prospect ladder turns out to be a gem.    I’m hoping lightning has struck twice with Means and Zimmermann.   Still a long way to go to prove that, I know, but I’m optimistic about it.   


 

[InsideCoroner]

That would be a welcome surprise, even if it’s only one of them. Means was impressive at the big league level from the get go. It’s not often you see young pitchers (who don’t throw 99) that can keep ML hitters so off-balance like that. When he’s on, he’s a lot of fun to watch. I really hope he can become a reliable TORO’s starter (not necessarily TOR in the MLB sense, but at least TOR for the O’s in 2021-2023). 

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, InsideCoroner said:

That would be a welcome surprise, even if it’s only one of them. Means was impressive at the big league level from the get go. It’s not often you see young pitchers (who don’t throw 99) that can keep ML hitters so off-balance like that. When he’s on, he’s a lot of fun to watch. I really hope he can become a reliable TORO’s starter (not necessarily TOR in the MLB sense, but at least TOR for the O’s in 2021-2023). 

He did managed 10.8 K/9 while putting up a 13.5 ERA in 2018. 

[Sports Guy]

So what you are saying is that the prospect rankings can be total bs? 

[Frobby]

7 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

So what you are saying is that the prospect rankings can be total bs? 

What I’m saying is that sometimes players can develop something they didn’t have before that totally changes their outlook.    And it’s fun when they do.   

But we all need to understand that these rankings (whether from OH or any other source) are educated guesses.
 

[connja]

Love to see 3 homegrown lefties in the rotation this year.

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, connja said:

Love to see 3 homegrown lefties in the rotation this year.

Left, right, they can throw with their feet if they get guys out.

[HowAboutThat]

Regarding prospect rankings, I think it is much easier for a 28 to jump up to an 18 than it is for an 18 to jump up to an eight. Means did something to remake himself. Maybe Zimmerman has as well.

[OFFNY]

o

 

(vs. D-RAYS, 3/29) )))))) [Spring Training]

 

Zimmermann gave up 7 Runs on 9 Hits in only 4.33 Innings Pitched in his final Pre-Season start of 2021.

The one thing on his stat-line that did look good was the fact that he was credited with 3 Strikeouts and 0 Walks.

 

o

[SteveA]

8 minutes ago, OFFNY said:

o

 

(vs. D-RAYS, 3/29) )))))) [Spring Training]

 

Means gave up 7 Runs on 9 Hits in only 4.33 Innings Pitched in his final Pre-Season start of 2021.

The one thing on his stat-line that did look good was the fact that he was credited with 3 Strikeouts and 0 Walks.

 

o

Zimm not Means.

[BirdinBama]

Yeah, Zimmerman had nothing today.

[UMDTerrapins]

Semi-related, I think the Hays and Means Committee has a nice ring to it.

[HowAboutThat]

43 minutes ago, OFFNY said:

o

 

(vs. D-RAYS, 3/29) )))))) [Spring Training]

 

Zimmermann gave up 7 Runs on 9 Hits in only 4.33 Innings Pitched in his final Pre-Season start of 2021.

The one thing on his stat-line that did look good was the fact that he was credited with 3 Strikeouts and 0 Walks.

 

o

I am hoping that today he was pitching with an attitude of, “I’m going to try some stuff that I’ve never tried before and see how it works.”

[BohKnowsBmore]

1 hour ago, UMDTerrapins said:

Semi-related, I think the Hays and Means Committee has a nice ring to it.

Now we just need to draft Brady House.

[bobmc]

3 hours ago, BirdinBama said:

Yeah, Zimmerman had nothing today.

Perhaps he too can use a covid19 vaccination as a causative effect?