Stephen Strasburg, Great Prospect or The Greatest Prospect?
Hopefully by now you have heard of Stephen Strasburg, pitcher for The San Diego State Aztecs. He is regarded by most as the #1 prospect in this years MLB draft, if not the GREATEST prospect ever! No doubt, the kid can play, but it seems these days we want to worship a prospect as the chosen one (see: LeBron James). Personally I hate doing it, but when you watch this guy chuck the ball, it is hard not to get excited, and worried that your team played too well last year to get him.
Read this convo between Buster Olney(ESPN) and A Long time MLB scout:
So just how good is Stephen Strasburg, the San Diego State right-hander who is regarded as the No. 1 talent in this year’s draft?
“The best I’ve ever seen,” says a longtime scout. “And it’s not even close.”
C’mon. Better than Mark Prior? Remember how incredible he looked coming out of Southern Cal — tall, big legs, good mechanics, robot-like. You’re saying he’s better than what Prior was then?
“Easily,” says the scout, over the phone. “I’m telling you, it’s not even close.”
What did you see in him?
“The day that I saw him pitch, his first fastball was 99 mph, and he was at 100-102 mph the rest of the way,” says the scout, who is not one for hyperbole.
Yeah, heard he had a good fastball. Straight as a string, right?
“That’s the thing,” said the scout. “Whenever you see a fastball at 100 mph, it’s always straight. No movement. But his fastball has a lot of movement, which really doesn’t make that much sense, because it’s on the hitter so quickly. His fastball cuts.”
Wow. His secondary stuff must be a work in progress. That’s the way it usually is with guys who are that overpowering at that age.
“No,” said the scout. “He’s got a plus slider, at 93-94 mph, and he’s got a plus changeup. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
Chances are he will go to the Washington Nationals, there will be too much pressure NOT to sign him. Last year they took a lot of heat for not signing their #1 pick, Crowe. The downside? Strasburg has a very stingy agent, Scott Boras, who is well known for taking every drop of money a team has. Personally, I would prolly pay him whatever they asked for. The Nationals not only need him because they desperately need pitching, but also he could be that identity they are also trying to create.
Here is a video of Strasburg sitting down 23 against Utah:
Here is him on March 5, 2009:
And finally, an interview about his future:
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Great post Papa Bear, most people haven’t heard of this guy but I thought he was going pro after last season. A lot of people mos def like to peg the next Lebron, ARod (when he was 18 playing in seatlle with Griffey), Joey Logano, or young ass dominant superstar to come in and sweep the sport of its feet. However this is nearly impossible in baseball its too much of a team driven sport and as of right now this guy only pitches to a second tier conference full of hitters, wait til he gets to meet the big boys that are the best players in the world, then we will see where this guy ranks.,… He does look rahter impressive tho, but so do Clayton Kershaw, Max Schrezer, and a kid from the Rangers who’s name is escaping me right now…
Good point Chosen One, but don’t forget, he almost threw a no hitter against Netherlands in the Olympics in Beijing! Haha not saying they are in comparison to the MLB, but it is still another notch in his belt. he was also the only collegiate player on team USA.
David Price>Stephan Stasburg…End of Story