Stephen Strasburg was the best pitching prospect of all time. He was described in his Baseball America scouting report as a “as soon as in a technology phenom”. Strasburg had every thing a scout might probably need in a pitcher. The 6’5 220 pound proper hander boasted a 100 MPH fastball, with a plus-plus curveball, and a plus changeup. To make it much more ridiculous he had plus command and strike-throwing capacity as properly.
The Nationals drafted this pressure of nature with the primary decide of the 2009 draft. Strasburg gave Nationals followers one thing to dream on within the midst of a rebuild. As anticipated, Strasburg cruised by means of the Minor Leagues. He was within the MLB a yr after he was drafted.
June eighth, 2010 was the extremely anticipated day the place the phenom made his debut towards the Pirates. In entrance of a bought out Nationals Park, the 21 yr previous tremendous prospect toed the rubber for the primary time. Nationals followers dubbed the day ‘Strasmas’. The eyes of the baseball world laid instantly on Washington, DC.
The younger man with the world at his ft wouldn’t disappoint. After two fast outs, Strasburg overwhelmed former Nationwide Lastings Milledge on three pitches for his first strikeout. This despatched the group right into a state of euphoria usually reserved for playoff video games.
As if the script was not good sufficient, the Nationals different younger star Ryan Zimmerman homered within the first inning to provide Strasburg run help. Strasburg wouldn’t want lots of help, as exterior of a shaky 4th inning the place he gave up a two run homer, he was unbelievable.
He was throwing 100 MPH effortlessly, and his breaking pitches had motion that appeared prefer it broke the legal guidelines of physics. After that fourth inning, Strasburg’s debut went from superb to legendary.
Strasburg struck out 8 of the final 9 batters he confronted, wanting completely otherworldly. He stored getting stronger and stronger, throwing more durable and more durable. He was already the most effective pitchers on the planet. On that June evening, Strasburg went seven innings, permitting two runs whereas placing out 14. He additionally didn’t stroll anybody.
The remainder of Strasburg’s profession was a bit extra sophisticated. There have been ups and downs, however he was nonetheless a superb pitcher. For those who go off his scouting report, which stated something lower than a Cy Younger win was disappointing, then perhaps Strasburg was a disappointment. After present process Tommy John Surgical procedure in 2010, Strasburg was virtually at all times coping with some type of nagging ailment.
He had two prime 5 Cy Younger finishes, and solely made three all star video games. His seven-year $245 million deal is likely one of the worst in sports activities historical past. Strasburg’s physique had failed him by then. He solely made eight begins throughout that contract.
Nevertheless, I feel it might be harsh to name Strasburg a disappointment. He was one of many higher pitchers in baseball all through the 2010’s. Strasburg and Scherzer was a dominant 1-2 punch. With a profession ERA of three.24, Strasburg was persistently glorious when he was on the mound.
The common season solely tells half the story. Outdoors of Madison Bumgarner, Strasburg was the perfect playoff pitcher of his technology. After being held out of the playoffs in 2012 because of the notorious shutdown, Strasburg at all times stepped up when his crew wanted him most.
In recreation 4 of the 2017 NLDS, with the Nats season on the road, Strasburg took the mound regardless of battling the flu. He was sensible, throwing seven shutout innings with 12 strikeouts. Regardless of dropping the collection, Strasburg’s efficiency was memorable.
This pales compared to his efforts in 2019. Strasburg was the world collection MVP, and put up online game numbers. He went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 36.1 innings, with 47 strikeouts to 4 walks. As soon as once more, he was at his greatest when the Nats wanted him most. With the season on the road in recreation 6, Strasburg went 8.1 innings towards the Astros lineup, which was the most effective within the final 20 years. He despatched the Nats to recreation 7, and we all know what occurred from there.
Stephen Strasburg got here with as a lot hype as any prospect in latest reminiscence. That hype practice solely accelerated after his insane debut. You may argue till the cows come residence about whether or not he lived as much as the hype. One factor that you simply can’t argue is that Stephen Strasburg is a Nationals legend.
