The Stephen Strasburg Hype Thread

dramabob

I sat up last night to catch the first two innings of Washington-Pittsburgh to see if the ridiculous amount of hype surrounding 21 year old righty Stephen Strasburg was worth it. I'd read so much about this kid in the last year, from his amazing college record (including a 23-strikeout game), the meteoric rise through the minors, the whole shebang. He's easily the most hyped prospect in MLB history, bar none.

But is he worth it? I'd never seen him throw a pitch before last night, not counting grainy, badly-shot footage of some of his college games which never seem to include that over-the-pitcher's-shoulder view of home plate.

Well, holy f*cking sh*t is all I can say.

This kid is unbelievable. Here's what I saw on the clock in the first two innings:

- a 96 to 101 mph fastball with movement across the plate akin to Pedro at his early best.

- a 79 to 81 mph curve, not a big 12 to 6 curve like, say, Barry Zito's, but still very effective and he can throw it for a strike seemingly at will.

- a 86 to 90 mph slider that ran in on the feet of righties and tailed away from lefties. Yes, that's a 90mph slider. The only pitcher I've ever seen beat 86 on a slider was John Smoltz and he had himself a pretty decent career.

But more than that, I saw composure. This kid might as well have been throwing pitches to his dad in the back yard instead of pitching to Hall of Fame-bound Pudge Rodriguez with every sportswriter in America watching his every move.

He struck out a Pirates batter last night in the 2nd inning on a breaking ball that nearly hit the batter's belt, yet he flailed at it helplessly. He finished with 14 strikeouts on the night - I know it was against the Pirates, who are hardly the 1927 Yankees, but still, that's hellishly impressive.

If Strasburg stays healthy (and that's a big IF), he could bring the glory days back to Washington. He's got the skills (in spades) to be the next Nolan Ryan, now let's see if he's got the longevity too.

Benbolo

I think that's the most people I've ever seen in the Nat's stadium.

Mad_Max

dramabob wrote: »

- a 86 to 90 mph slider that ran in on the feet of righties and tailed away from lefties. Yes, that's a 90mph slider. The only pitcher I've ever seen beat 86 on a slider was John Smoltz and he had himself a pretty decent career.

Joba used to have that :P

Kidding aside, Strasbourg (straws-burg as they want him to be called now :rolleyes:) was worth every bit of the hype.

Most young starters struggle because they don't have command of their offspead and breaking stuff but he had buckets of it.

The 2-2 down and in on young (3rd K i think) was a sight to behold.

jack presley

I only watched the first 2 innings myself but I must say how impressed I was. When I woke up this morning and found out he'd went 7, I was well surprised.

One thing that should be taken into consideration before we anoint him, is that none of the hitters have faced him before and whether he can be as dominant when they've faced him 4-5 times, we'll have to see.

8-10

0 for 2 batting though. Useless.

I only saw the strikeouts this morning on the website. Kid is definitely something. I think I may have to watch his next start. Add in this 17-yr old drafted a couple of days ago who seems like a natural hitter, something that Sports Illustrated said at the start of the season is a dying breed among young catchers (though he may be moved to OF), and the Nats' future is looking very very promising.

krustydoyle

I thought his change ups were amazing and im glad he didnt panic when he got behind on the count.. Its very exciting in many ways and i just hope he stays healthy because the nats could be on the way up..

jack presley

No as 'lights out' today as he was the last day but still pretty impressive. He got the win and only gave up 1 run through 5.1 innings although he did leave with the bases loaded in the 6th but the pen managed to get him out of the jam. He did walk 5 but got another 8 strikeouts so if I was the Nationals, I'd be quite happy with the 2 performances so far

MickShamrock

Wish the Mariners had gotten the first draft pick! :pac:

krustydoyle

Amazing performance again last night against the white sox.. Striking out 10 and only allowing 1 run.. thats a record 32 strikeouts in his first 3 starts.. a new rookie record..

krustydoyle

Suppose it had to happen at some stage... Not a bad performance though

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300623120

jack presley

krustydoyle wrote: »

Suppose it had to happen at some stage... Not a bad performance though

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300623120

yeah, not his fault that he didn't get any run support. Giving up only 1 run over 6 innings you'd expect to get the W but I suppose if the Nats could bat, he wouldn't have ended up there.

Royal Seahawk

Did he make the All-Star Roster?

jack presley

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

Did he make the All-Star Roster?

No.

brilliantboy

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

Did he make the All-Star Roster?

Did he deserve to after 6 starts?

Royal Seahawk

Colin Cowherd thinks he should have. I'm just wondering..

jack presley

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

Colin Cowherd thinks he should have. I'm just wondering..

Colin Cowherd says most of what he says just to be controversial or just to say the opposite of what most people think. He's a tool.