Ryan Zimmerman has grown more confident in his future as a third baseman.
There were doubts about his throwing ability earlier this season and a move to first base was rumored.
"If you would have asked me that in May," Zimmerman said of sticking at third for the Washington Nationals. "I might have been a little skeptical."
Zimmerman has committed 21 errors this season, 16 of them on bad throws. In the wake of shoulder surgery he underwent in November, Zimmerman at one point questioned his long-term future at third.
"Before, I never, ever thought about it," he said. "I love playing third base. I think I'm pretty good at it. But when you start making that errors, and your confidence gets down, you start thinking well, [shoot], I can't even frickin' help the team. A lot of bad things creep in there. It's been frustrating and trying. I think I've learned a lot about myself this year defensively. Which I never, ever had to think about before in my life. Hopefully once I get past it, get done with it, it will make me a better player."
Zimmerman has felt more strength return to his arm. Once his arm started responded and he could repeat a fluid, overhand motion, he started to gain confidence.
"But part of it is a year and a half of bad habits that I've created trying to play hurt," Zimmerman said. "Those are hard to break. As the year has gone on, I've gotten more consistent with my arm angle or my release point – whatever you want to call it. Obviously, that makes you a little more confident. I'd say it's a combination of both those things."