Nationals' Zimmerman: 'I can do better' in 2010

Feb 28, 2010 - 7:53 PM VIERA, Fla.(AP) -- Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman needed only four full seasons to establish himself as one of baseball's brightest stars.

And he's not satisfied.

His 2009 campaign - a .292 average with 33 homers and a team-leading 106 RBIs - was capped by the kind of first-time accolades every player dreams of: selection to the All-Star game, a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger as the National League's top offensive player at his position.

So what does Zimmerman do for an encore?

Point out his flaws and vow to erase them.

"I honestly try to get better every year. Obviously, I had my best year individually last year. From when I went back and looked at it, I made a lot of mistakes," Zimmerman said Sunday. "I can do better than that. You just got to work hard, learn from what you did wrong and get better."

After a memorable season that included inking a five-year, $45 million contract extension, it doesn't go unnoticed that he is talking about improvement.

"That kind of just speaks to the character of who he is. He's not going to let himself be satisfied," Washington manager Jim Riggleman said. "We're really excited about what he did last year and what he can continue to do. He's is 25 years old ... and I think players at that age would like to think they're moving toward their peak, that they haven't peaked yet. That 26- to 30-year range is the most productive years for most ballplayers."

Zimmerman was happy with his offensive numbers last year, when he established new career highs in hits (178), home runs and batting average. He was more selective at the plate, which translated in better pitches to hit.

What he thinks needs improving is his defense, specifically his sometimes lackadaisical throw when he charges a ball or cuts toward the pitcher's mound, in front of shortstop. Of the 17 errors he committed last season en route to the Gold Glove, several came in such situations.

"Defensively, the throwing thing," he said when asked where he needed to work harder. "It seems like each of the past couple of years I've had a little stint in each of the seasons and I obviously want to get rid of that."

Riggleman thinks Zimmerman may be a little too self-critical. As a comparison, the manager points to Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles, whose defensive style he thinks mirrors Zimmerman's.

"He just seems to always get them out. ... His arm strength is good. When Ryan needs to make a throw, he can make it," Riggleman said. "Brooks didn't fire it over there. Brooks just had a real clean, accurate arm and when he needed to make a throw with just a little extra on it, he always seemed to have it. I think Ryan kind of plays the position along those lines."

Though only a five-year veteran, Zimmerman has already assumed a leadership role in the Nationals clubhouse.

"Leaders evolve on a ballclub," Riggleman said, "and he's so well respected by his teammates that that's something that is there for him to do."

Zimmerman's message heading into 2010: The front office has done its job and fortified the roster, so it's the players' responsibility to enact a turnaround from a 103-loss season.

"Even if you have a $200 million team like the Yankees, if those guys don't go out there and play, (you don't win). It's up to us to execute and to do the little things right and win," Zimmerman said. "When it comes down to it, it's our team and we're the ones who have to execute."

As long as Zimmerman puts up his usual numbers, Riggleman doesn't need to worry about any self-imposed pressure.

"The things that come out of his mouth make a lot of sense. He analyzes situations and knows what took place and why it took place. He's a sharp guy," Riggleman said. "I just want him to play. He's one of those guys who you go, well, if you look up at the end of the year and he had 600-plus plate appearances, we know he had a good year. So we just want to keep him out there playing."

NOTES: OF Josh Willingham has not reported to camp yet and could be delayed until next week for what Riggleman called "a personal matter." ... RHP Drew Storen was sporting some unique footwear in the clubhouse Sunday: socks that literally fit like a glove, with each toe encased in its own sheath. Storen said he learned about them from Japanese teammates during the Arizona Fall League, and that the unusual half-socks cut down on ingrown toenails, blisters and other foot problems. ... The Nationals won't play any intrasquad games, Riggleman said. Instead, they will concentrate on batting practice to prepare for their March 4 Grapefruit League split-squad openers.