NORTHWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 20, 2009
Former Express Pitcher Zimmermann to Make MLB Debut
(WASHINGTON, DC) Former Eau Claire Express standout starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is scheduled to make his Major League debut tonight as his Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Zimmermann, a month shy of his 23rd birthday, will become the 53rd Northwoods League alumnus to appear in the Major Leagues and the first pitcher to make his debut as a starter since Casey Janssen of the Blue Jays in April of 2006.
The right-handed Zimmermann will square off against Atlanta’s veteran right-hander Derek Lowe. Washington has struggled to a Major League worst 1-10 start to the 2009 campaign. Zimmermann was named the team’s 5th starter prior to the season, but because of early-season off days the team didn’t need five starters until tonight. This winter Baseball America rated Zimmermann as the top prospect in the Nationals’ system and he was the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2008.
Drafted in the second round in 2007, the 6’2”, 200 pound Zimmermann cruised through the Nats’ minor league system. In 39 career appearances in the minors he’s 15-5 with a 2.81 ERA. Zimmermann sealed his fate as a part of Washington’s 2009 rotation with a strong Spring Training where he struck out 20 batters in 14.1 innings with a 3.14 ERA.
Zimmermann rose from relative obscurity less than three years ago when he dominated the Northwoods League for the Express in their second year of existence. Following his sophomore season at Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Zimmermann led the NWL with a 1.01 ERA while posting a 4-2 record and 92 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. The Auburndale, Wisconsin native was on scouts’ radars from that point forward.
“I think that’s where I got myself on the map and scouts started seeing me at the Northwoods games,” Zimmermann said. “That was a big help of me getting drafted.”
The Northwoods League plays more games than, draws more fans than, and plays in venues superior to any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. The league will begin its 16th season of action on May 28.
