Bruce Zimmermann

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #15 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann transferred from Towson University, which is located in Baltimore County, and was drafted by the Braves out of Division II Mount Olive, but it didn't take long for him to come home as part of the Orioles' return in the Kevin Gausman trade in 2018. Zimmermann was masterful in the Double-A Eastern League in 2019 before making his major league debut in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A specialized strength program and mechanical work at Driveline Baseball had Zimmermann throwing harder this summer, with his fastball still sitting 90-93 mph with some hop and reaching 95 mph on occasion. He uses a solid-average changeup against righthanded hitters and can throw a mid-80s slider to both sides, although it is more of a fringy offering. He also features a slower, fringy curveball. While not overpowering, Zimmermann has a plan on the mound and average control. He needs to locate everything, especially his fastball, to be effective.
  
  THE FUTURE: Zimmermann won't be guaranteed a rotation spot in 2021, but he has the mettle to hang on to one if given the chance. Long-term, he's likely an up-and-down starter or swingman.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #16 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann left his deep local roots as a Baltimore native who went to Towson University when that school threatened to cut baseball, but he signed as a senior for $10,000 with the Braves. He was already in Double-A in his first full season when he ended up back home as part of the July 2018 trade that sent Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day to Atlanta.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: In a loaded Double-A Bowie rotation in 2019, Zimmermann was regarded by teammates as the toughest of the bunch. With a fastball that sits 90-93 mph but still misses bats, he is able to get hitters off balance with a solid-average changeup in the mid-80s and a curveball in the mid-70s. He has a slider that he'll throw to either side and get swinging strikes at 84-86 mph from a clean, repeatable delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Zimmermann will be 25 when he begins 2020 at Triple-A Norfolk, but will get another chance to prove he has a No. 5 starter ceiling, even if there's some thought his stuff could tick up in a relief role.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann transferred from Towson University, which is located in Baltimore County, and was drafted by the Braves out of Division II Mount Olive, but it didn't take long for him to come home as part of the Orioles' return in the Kevin Gausman trade in 2018. Zimmermann was masterful in the Double-A Eastern League in 2019 before making his major league debut in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A specialized strength program and mechanical work at Driveline Baseball had Zimmermann throwing harder this summer, with his fastball still sitting 90-93 mph with some hop and reaching 95 mph on occasion. He uses a solid-average changeup against righthanded hitters and can throw a mid-80s slider to both sides, although it is more of a fringy offering. He also features a slower, fringy curveball. While not overpowering, Zimmermann has a plan on the mound and average control. He needs to locate everything, especially his fastball, to be effective.
  
  THE FUTURE: Zimmermann won't be guaranteed a rotation spot in 2021, but he has the mettle to hang on to one if given the chance. Long-term, he's likely an up-and-down starter or swingman.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann transferred from Towson University, which is located in Baltimore County, and was drafted by the Braves out of Division II Mount Olive, but it didn't take long for him to come home as part of the Orioles' return in the Kevin Gausman trade in 2018. Zimmermann was masterful in the Double-A Eastern League in 2019 before making his major league debut in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A specialized strength program and mechanical work at Driveline Baseball had Zimmermann throwing harder this summer, with his fastball still sitting 90-93 mph with some hop and reaching 95 mph on occasion. He uses a solid-average changeup against righthanded hitters and can throw a mid-80s slider to both sides, although it is more of a fringy offering. He also features a slower, fringy curveball. While not overpowering, Zimmermann has a plan on the mound and average control. He needs to locate everything, especially his fastball, to be effective.
  
  THE FUTURE: Zimmermann won't be guaranteed a rotation spot in 2021, but he has the mettle to hang on to one if given the chance. Long-term, he's likely an up-and-down starter or swingman.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann left his deep local roots as a Baltimore native who went to Towson University when that school threatened to cut baseball, but he signed as a senior for $10,000 with the Braves. He was already in Double-A in his first full season when he ended up back home as part of the July 2018 trade that sent Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day to Atlanta.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: In a loaded Double-A Bowie rotation in 2019, Zimmermann was regarded by teammates as the toughest of the bunch. With a fastball that sits 90-93 mph but still misses bats, he is able to get hitters off balance with a solid-average changeup in the mid-80s and a curveball in the mid-70s. He has a slider that he’ll throw to either side and get swinging strikes at 84-86 mph from a clean, repeatable delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Zimmermann will be 25 when he begins 2020 at Triple-A Norfolk, but will get another chance to prove he has a No. 5 starter ceiling, even if there’s some thought his stuff could tick up in a relief role.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Zimmermann left his deep local roots as a Baltimore native who went to Towson University when that school threatened to cut baseball, but he signed as a senior for $10,000 with the Braves. He was already in Double-A in his first full season when he ended up back home as part of the July 2018 trade that sent Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day to Atlanta.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: In a loaded Double-A Bowie rotation in 2019, Zimmermann was regarded by teammates as the toughest of the bunch. With a fastball that sits 90-93 mph but still misses bats, he is able to get hitters off balance with a solid-average changeup in the mid-80s and a curveball in the mid-70s. He has a slider that he'll throw to either side and get swinging strikes at 84-86 mph from a clean, repeatable delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Zimmermann will be 25 when he begins 2020 at Triple-A Norfolk, but will get another chance to prove he has a No. 5 starter ceiling, even if there's some thought his stuff could tick up in a relief role.