A fastball down the middle was the right pitch to swing at. He also hit it very hard, just right at a fielder. I mean...that approach is exactly how you increase your OPS. I'm guessing one of the exit velo guys on Twitter will post one of those tweets that say "that Soler ball was hit at x MPH and balls in play at X have a .700 batting average or something." I have no problem with green lighting him on 3-0 when he squares up a pitch that should find a hole more times than not when it's hit as hard as he hit it.
I'm guessing Zimmerman struggles with velocity at his age/arm/shoulder injuries. Probably doesn't want to risk hanging or missing a spot of an off speed pitch when he can just blow it by him.
Russell, Schwarber, Contreras, Torres, Almora, Vogelbach (since it's an AL team) and their pick of the pitching prospects for Simmons and Trout. And throw in paying for Hamilton's rehab or CJ Wilson's Old Spice commercial overruns if you need to.
I was thinking the same thing, I didn't see a ball anywhere on that replay they showed until it hit the board. Shouldn't that mean it's fair if it disappears for a bit by the flags/pole from that camera angle?