Who Would You Rather Have: Ryan Zimmerman or Evan Longoria??

by Ray Guilfoyle on Oct 15, 2009 9:15 AM EDT in Baseball

I was planning on writing about Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman even before I saw some banter going back and forth in the comments section of one of my prior posts. Zimmerman had a breakout season of sorts in 2009, and was second among all third baseman in HRs and RBIs. Meanwhile, most experts and roto/fantasy players may look to draft Rays third baseman Evan Longoria ahead of Zimmerman. I say, not so fast.

Let's take a look at their 2009 stats courtesy of www.fangraphs.com:

610

178

110

106

119

0.292

0.364

0.525

0.888

Evan Longoria

584

164

100

113

140

0.281

0.364

0.526

0.889

Their 2009 stats couldn't be more identical!! What separates them is 10 runs scored, 7 RBI, 7 SBs, and .011 in AVG. Rather amazing. Yet, even with all the acolades Longoria gets among the fantasy experts, I think Zimmerman deserves a second look. Zimmerman will be hitting in a pretty decent lineup in Washington in 2010 that actually scored more runs than the Cubs, Mets, Astros and Reds in 2009.

Poll

Who would you rather draft in 2010: Ryan Zimmerman or Evan Longoria?

Zimmerman-he can duplicate his breakout season in 2009.

26 votes

Longoria-he hits in a better lineup and in the AL.

84 votes

110 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Tough call but

I like Zimm because of his plate discipline (21.3 O-swing% .61BB/K). For the same reason I won’t be drafting Kemp too high (28.5 O-swing% .37BB/K), I’ll pass on Longo (25.6 O-swing% .51 BB/K) until he understands the strike zone a bit more.

by Surrogates on Oct 15, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Tough Call

I take Longoria over Zimm. Although I believe both are great 3b in the league, and up and rising stars in this league. Me taking Longoria has nothing to do with me not thinking Zimmerman is a great player. I just feel like teams focused on Longo and the whole Rays lineup when they play them b/c they are a great offensive club and team. When teams play the Nationals, it’s just like playing my Orioles…its more of an off day than a heated battle…lol

by PNeal7 on Oct 15, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

It depends on where I'm drafting them

This past year, Zimmerman was a steal as I got him in the 9th round in my league, and look at the numbers.

I’ve been burned by Zimmerman a couple of years ago, so all things equal, I’d go with Longoria. I could care less how often he strikes out. If you take into account the last 2 seasons, Longoria has had the better OBP, which I care more about because of Runs.

I could be wrong, but my hunch is that this was Zimmermans’ best year he’s going to have, while with Longoria I feel like he can sustain these stats for multiple years.

I just feel like Zimmerman is more of a 25 HR – 90 to 100 RBI guy, where Longoria is more of a 30 HR – 110 to 120 RBI guy.

That said, if I can get Zimmerman several rounds later, then he’s more valuable, but I have a feeling he’s going to be more on people’s radar, with the lack of depth at 3B.

Clone Chronicles

by Mark Kieffer on Oct 15, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions