Jordan ZimmermanN is Good

Its easy to forget about Jordan Zimmermann.  He had Tommy John surgery and was out the same year that everyone's favorite new local hero, Stephen Strasburg hit center stage and blew away the Pirates in his first start in the Show.  Zimmermann is probably most famous for getting his name spelled incorrectly by every single member of the media (including local).

But Zimmermann is no slouch himself and for proof of that we can look no further than the godfather of baseball statistics, Bill James (who yes, spelled ZimmermanN wrong).

James just released his first article for Grantland.com today and it counts down the 100 top pitchers duels of 2010.  Jordan makes the list 5 times*.  I dont know anything about baseball**, but that sounds pretty damn good for a guy in his first full year back since his surgery.

Here is the full list of Zimmermann's duels from the Bill James article:

15. June 29, Washington Nationals in Anaheim, Jordan Zimmerman against Dan Haren. 

Snakebite game for Zimmerman, who lost 1-0 on his own three-base error. 

51. August 23, Arizona in Washington, Ian Kennedy against Jordan Zimmerman

Arizona 2, Washington 0. 

63. April 14, Philadelphia in Washington, Cliff Lee against Jordan Zimmerman

Three-hit shutout by Lee, 12 strikeouts. Philadelphia 4, Washington 0. 

87. June 12, Washington at San Diego, Jordan Zimmerman against Tim Stauffer

Zimmerman and Stauffer each pitched seven innings of shutout ball, Zimmerman striking out 10. Washington got two runs off of a reliever in the top of the ninth; Washington 2, San Diego 0. 

97. July 10, Colorado in Washington, Jhoulys Chacin against Jordan Zimmerman

Washington manufactured a run in the sixth and got one off the bullpen. Washington 2, Colorado 0.

There you have it.  Oh and if that wasn't impressive enough, Zimmermann also threw an 'imaculate inning' versus the Florida Marlins last May.  He struck out all 3 batters... on 9 pitches.

*Ross Detwiler made the list at #75 when he beat Cliff Lee and the Phillies on September 20th.

**I look waaaaaaaay too much like that kid from the Sandlot.