Surface results for veteran Washington Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman appear to point to a sharp decline, one we've been anticipating for the injury-ravaged former star. Indeed, that .122/.204/.224 triple-slash line is absolutely hair-raising, and Zimmerman's seven total runs and RBIs are hardly going to endear him to daily players.
Yet Zimmerman's underlying stats would seem to indicate that he has a little left in the tank, considering he's stinging the ball for a 41.7% hard-contact rate while stroking his way to a 27.8% line-drive rate. Even if Zimmerman's best days are behind him, with those skills, his minuscule .143 BABIP should turn the corner sooner than later.
The veteran slugger is a career .305/.385/.517 performer against southpaws, and with his FanDuel price nearing rock bottom, he's a worthy contrarian play this week against Steven Matz, Rich Hill, and, if you're feeling frisky, Clayton Kershaw.