Target & Avoid Washington Nationals

 

Target Jordan Zimmermann

While managers are looking for opening day starters to fill their Fantasy rosters you should target the Nationals #3 SP. Zimmermann is coming off a dazzling 12’ campaign where he posted a sub 3.00 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP. That makes him one of only ten SPs last year to accomplish that feat. He ended the season with 7 K/9 and 12 Wins. He will benefit even more this year with rock-solid run support.  Currently the 25^th SP off the board with a 117 ADP. That is far and away better than every other #3 pitcher on any team.  One of favorite stats on Zimmerman is he throws nearly 70% first pitch strikes. That was second only to Cliff Lee last year. Look for a 16 Win season with an ERA a tick over 3.00 and a WHIP at 1.18. He is a great 9^th round pick as your #2 starter. Even a steal in the 8^th round.

 

Avoid Wilson Ramos

Coming back from ACL surgery last July I do not expect Ramos to get more than 1 Star a week until Mid-May. The Nationals have no reason to hurry him back. The reason for the cautiousness is a more than capable Suzuki to handle one of the best top to bottom staff in the National League. Ramos still needs to lose some more weight and be able to show his agility behind the plate before being labeled completely back.  Even when he returns expect Ramos to hit 8^th in a good Nationals line-up; at least until he shows complete effectiveness to hit all types of pitches.  He got the start Tuesday behind the plate and was pulled early and his 1 AB he K’d.