Drafted in the 4th round (120th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2003 (signed for $270,000).
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After setting the Southwest Missouri State career saves record in his first two seasons, Zimmerman moved to the rotation this spring. That didn't fit his aggressive mentality, as he focused on pitching strikes and wound up throwing 90-92 mph with little movement. Since returning to the bullpen, he has been throwing 94-96 mph with more life. Relieving likely will be his ticket as a pro, because he doesn't repeat his slider and changeup and can't spot those pitches as well as his fastball. It's quite possible that there will be a team that will value Zimmerman's body (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and velocity and take him ahead of James.
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The Angels have several hard-throwing yet inconsistent righthanders who project as back-of- the-rotation starters or middle relievers. Zimmermann is the most advanced of a group that includes Ryan Aldridge, Mitchell Arnold, Billy Edwards and Von Stertzbach. Part of Southwest Missouri State's first-ever College World Series team in 2003, Zimmermann uses a maximum-effort delivery that he struggles to repeat. He tends to pitch from a high, three-quarters arm slot, but a lower angle gives him better deception and life on his pitches. His fastball, which sits between 90-95 mph, has sinking action. His slider is his best offspeed offering, but neither it nor his changeup is especially reliable. Zimmermann has a closer's mentality, but unless he improves his command and secondary stuff, he won't be more than a set-up man. The Angels have been patient with him, but it's time to test him against more advanced hitters in Double-A. Los Angeles declined to protect Zimmermann on its 40-man roster following the season and he went unselected in the major league Rule 5 draft.
Zimmermann established the career saves mark at Southwest Missouri State in his first two years with the Bears, then moved into the rotation and helped the program earn its first-ever College World Series berth in 2003. Though his inconsistency caused his draft stock to suffer somewhat, area scout Brian Bridges (now with the Marlins) remained high on Zimmermann and persuaded the Angels to take him in the fourth round. His two-pitch arsenal and varying arm angles gave low Class A batters fits last summer. Zimmermann's heater runs between 91-95 mph and features heavy, sinking action. His secondary stuff varies in quality, however, because he'll pitch at high three-quarters, true three-quarters and sidearm angles. What he gains in deception, he sacrifices in control. Zimmermann's slider is his No. 2 pitch, and he also worked on a changeup and splitter in instructional league. He's aggressive and is resilient enough to pitch on consecutive days, which should allow him to serve in a variety of relief roles in the future, perhaps even as a big league closer. Zimmermann likely will spend 2005 in high Class A, though the Angels would like to keep him and Mitch Arnold on different clubs so both could continue to close.
Drafted in the 14th round by the Rockies out of high school, Zimmermann set Southwest Missouri State's saves record by the end of his sophomore season. He moved to the rotation last spring and helped the Bears reach their first College World Series. Regarded as first-round material heading into 2003, Zimmermann was inconsistent and lost velocity as a starter. Moved back to relief, he started pumping heavy 94-96 mph fastballs again. After signing for $270,000 as a fourth-rounder, he threw 90-94 in Rookie ball. His repertoire and maximum-effort delivery are best suited for the bullpen. He throws a slider, splitter and changeup but has yet to master any of them consistently. Nevertheless, the Angels feel fortunate to get a quality arm like his where they did. They'll test him by putting Zimmermann in high Class A for his first full pro season.
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