Atkins this year. Zimmerman in a keeper league.

Player Spotlight – Ryan Zimmerman
Name AVG OBP SLG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS
Optimistic (15%) .310 .380 .581 162 649 119 201 52 5 38 136 72 103 6 4

That’s right, 119/38/136. For a 23 yo. That kind of line, at that age, portends a possible future Triple Crown threat. ZiPS isn’t alone, Sheehan at Prospectus says Zimmerman will be “better than David Wright THIS year.” Baseball Analysts list him as the 2nd best 23 yo in the game, behind only Tulowitzki, and ahead of a horde of stellar young players, including Cain, Billingsley, Upton, Kemp, Buchholz, Milledge, etc.

This isn’t to say I would take Zim ahead of Atkins this year. But it wouldn’t be a slam-dunk for Atkins, and I might well opt for Zim. He’s been consistent, as a very young kid, and now moves to a better park, with a much better lineup. I’m a little worried about the hamate bone injury, but it’s commonplace and reportedly minor in nature, and the fact that he suffered it while taking practice swings on his own at his old high school in NOVEMBER says volumes about the kid’s passion for the game and dedication to self-improvement.

In a keeper or dynasty, however, I would view this as a slam-dunk. In Zimmerman’s favor.