If you have not already heard of Stephen Strasburg, it won’t be long before you do. Strasburg is a college pitcher coming out of San Diego State University. He has been long projected to be the consensus number one draft pick this upcoming June and some scouts are even saying he might be major league ready by September. It has been years since any college player has been surrounded by this much hype. Avid baseball fans and scouts alike understand that college players are risky picks and quite a few fall by the wayside without even making it to the bigs. Just look at some of the current record holders when it comes to college baseball. The current record holder for most strikeouts by a pitcher belongs to Ryan Wagner. Not necessarily a house hold name or someone destined for the hall of fame. Especially when it comes to pitchers, no one can be sure of which direction they will head in. However, Stephen Strasburg seems to be an exception to the rule.
Strasburg seems to bring something completely different to the table and has had a number of record breaking performances and was even a member of the 2008 US Olympic baseball team. That made him the only amateur on the team and he started strong with a seven inning no hit performance against the Netherlands. The numbers and statistics that have followed him this season have been stunningly good. They are almost video game like and unbelievable. This towering young phenom has put together a record of 11-0 with a measly ERA of 1.24, 164 strikeouts and only 17 walks. The numbers are simply sparkling and he is showing no signs of slowing down. There isn’t much doubt in any one’s mind that the Washington Nationals while make him the first player selected in this year’s first player draft. Everyone in the organization has already hinted in that direction and Strasburg has done nothing but elevate his status.
The records will probably not stop now as he is on pace to shatter the Division 1 strikeout record and will probably lock down a massive rookie contract in the summer. However, Strasburg remains cool, collected and focused on the present and not the future. With so many elite players involved in the steroid scandal, demanding trades or simply being focused on money these days it is refreshing to see a future all star playing for the simple love of the game. While everyone else’s focus is on the draft and how Strasburg will fair in the MLB, he is just intent on pitching well for his team and leading San Diego State to a conference title. Let’s all hope that Strasburg can keep it up and put together an illustrious career. We all know that we need more appropriate role models in the MLB more than ever.
Drill Down:
Stephen Strasburg,
San Diego State University,
MLB
