Stephen Strasburg

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Stephen Strasburg

Washington Nationals – No. 37
Starting pitcher
Born: (1988-07-20) July 20, 1988 (age 23)
San Diego, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
MLB debut
June 8, 2010 for the Washington Nationals
Career statistics
(through May 27, 2012)
Win–loss record     11–5
Earned run average     2.58
Strikeouts     186
Walks     36
WHIP     1.03
Teams
Medal record
Men's Baseball
Competitor for  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze 2008 Beijing National team
World University Championship
Gold 2008 Brno National team

Stephen James Strasburg (play /ˈstrɑːzbərɡ/; born July 20, 1988) is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. Strasburg signed a record $15.1 million contract with the Nationals. He made his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2010.

Strasburg was called the "most-hyped pick in draft history" by ESPN[1] and the "most hyped and closely watched pitching prospect in the history of baseball" by Sports Illustrated.[2]

Contents

[edit] Amateur career

[edit] San Diego State

In 2008, as a sophomore at San Diego State University, Strasburg went 8–3 with a 1.58 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 98⅓ innings for the Aztecs.[3] Four of his thirteen starts in 2008 were complete games, two of which were shutouts.[4] On April 11 of that year, he struck out a Mountain West Conference record 23 batters in a game versus the University of Utah.[5]

Strasburg finished the 2009 season 13–1 with a 1.32 ERA, 59 hits allowed, 16 earned runs, 19 walks, and 195 strikeouts in 109 innings pitched.[6] In his final home start on May 8, 2009, Strasburg threw his first career no-hitter while striking out 17 Air Force batters.[7] His lone loss came against the Virginia Cavaliers in the NCAA Regionals as Virginia advanced toward the College World Series, but he still struck out 15 in seven innings during the loss.

In the summer of 2007, Strasburg also played for the Torrington Twisters of the NECBL where he was awarded as the 2007 Top Pro Prospect, 2007 Top Relief Pitcher, and to the 2007 NECBL First Team as a closer.[8][9]

[edit] International play

Strasburg was the lone collegiate player selected for the U.S. Baseball team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He had previously pitched for the USA Baseball National Team (College).

In his first start at the Olympics, Strasburg one-hit the Netherlands over seven innings, striking out five of the first six batters he faced. The lone hit Strasburg allowed was a seventh-inning single to Sharnol Adriana. There were two rain delays each lasting at least 90 minutes, and the game was called off after eight innings following the second wait.

With the U.S. having already secured a spot in the semifinals medal round, Team USA Manager Davey Johnson held Strasburg from what should have been his second start on August 20 in order to pitch him in the first round of the semifinals against Cuban Norge Luis Vera. The strategy did not work, as Vera outdueled Strasburg with six innings pitched and only two runs (one earned). Strasburg, meanwhile, lasted only four innings while giving up three runs (two earned). Cuba won the game 10–2.

Strasburg ended up with a 1–1 record, a 1.67 ERA, and a bronze medal for the Olympics, as Team USA won its following contest against Japan 8–4.[10]

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Draft

On June 9, 2009, Strasburg was drafted number one overall in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Washington Nationals. On August 17, 2009, he signed a record-breaking four-year, $15.1 million contract with the Nationals, just 77 seconds before the deadline, breaking a record previously held by Mark Prior, who had signed 93 seconds before the deadline in 2001.[11] Strasburg is represented by agent Scott Boras.[12]

[edit] Minor leagues

Strasburg made his professional debut on October 16, 2009, starting for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, which is in Phoenix, Arizona.

Before the 2010 season started, Baseball America named Strasburg as the top pitching prospect (#2 overall behind Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward) in baseball.[13]

Strasburg was assigned to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators to begin his minor league career. There was so much anticipation and hype surrounding Strasburg that there were about 70 credentialed media members in attendance at his April 11, 2010 debut,[14] and ESPN nationally broadcast portions of the game (only the half-innings in which Strasburg was pitching).[15] He won that debut in Altoona, Pennsylvania, versus the Altoona Curve, allowing four hits and four runs (one earned), while striking out eight batters in five innings. During his first home start on April 16, he yielded two hits and an unearned run with three strikeouts in 2⅓ innings in a loss to the New Britain Rock Cats. Harrisburg set an attendance record in Strasburg's home debut and then topped the previous mark two weeks later in Strasburg's Double-A finale.[16] He completed his Double-A stint with a 1.64 earned run average while striking out 27 and walking six in 22 innings.

On May 4, 2010, he was promoted to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. In his first game with the Chiefs, he pitched six scoreless innings, striking out six batters while allowing one hit and one walk.[17] That game had the highest attendance in the 135-year history of baseball in Syracuse.[18] In his second start, Strasburg was removed after pitching six no-hit innings.[19] He finished his minor league stint with an overall record of 7–2, an ERA of 1.30, 65 strikeouts and 13 walks in 55⅓ innings, and a WHIP of 0.80.[20]

[edit] Washington Nationals

Strasburg bats during his major league debut.

Strasburg made his major-league debut on June 8, 2010, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A Sports Illustrated columnist termed it "the most hyped pitching debut the game has ever seen."[21] Strasburg picked up the win in his debut, pitching seven innings, allowing two earned runs and no walks and 14 strikeouts, setting a new team strikeout record.[22] Further, he was the first pitcher in history to strike out at least eleven batters without issuing any walks in his pro debut, while falling just one strikeout short of the all-time record for a pitcher's debut—Karl Spooner (1954) and J. R. Richard (1971) both struck out 15, but each took nine innings to do it, and each walked three.[23] (Bob Feller also struck out 15 in his first start, although it wasn't his big league debut).[24] Strasburg's first career strikeout was of former National Lastings Milledge. He struck out every batter in the Pirates' lineup at least once and struck out the last seven batters he faced—also a Nationals record.[25][26] He threw 34 of his 94 pitches at 98 miles per hour (158 km/h) or faster, including two that clocked 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).[27]

In Strasburg's second and third major league starts he struck out another eight and ten batters, respectively, setting a major league record for the most strikeouts in a pitcher's first three starts with 32. The previous recordholder had been J.R. Richard, who struck out 29 in his first three starts in 1971.[28] Strasburg was also featured in the cover story of Sports Illustrated following his second start.[29]

Strasburg was placed on the disabled list with an inflamed right shoulder in July 2010.[30] He returned to action on August 10, but in his third game back, on August 21, he was removed with an apparent injury.[31] On August 27, the Nationals announced that Strasburg had a torn ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery, and about 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation.[32]

In the 2010 season Strasburg pitched in 12 games, all starts, throwing 68 innings, 92 strikeouts and compiling a 2.91 ERA. He was named a pitcher on the 2010 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.[33]

Strasburg made his first rehab start on August 7, 2011 for the Hagerstown Suns.[34] He made his first Major League start of 2011 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 6th, going 5 full innings, giving up two hits, striking out 4 (all swinging) and no runs on 53 pitches. After giving up a leadoff hit to Dee Gordon, Strasburg retired 11 straight batters.

Strasburg made six rehab starts during the 2011 minor league season throwing a total of 20 1⁄3 innings, with 29 strikeouts, compiling a 3.49 ERA and a 1–1 record. He then made 5 starts during the 2011 major league season, throwing 24 innings, with 24 strikeouts, compiling a 1.50 ERA and a 1–1 record.[35]

In April 2012, Strasburg accumulated an NL-best 34 strikeouts and second-best 1.13 ERA. He totaled 6 walks and did not give up a home run. Consequently he was named NL Pitcher of the Month.[36] On May 20, Strasburg went 2-for-2 as a hitter in a game against the Baltimore Orioles and hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Wei-Yin Chen.[37]

[edit] Pitching style

[edit] Pitch repertoire

Strasburg's repertoire features four pitches: a four-seam fastball, his primary pitch at 95–99 mph; a two-seam fastball at 93–97; a curveball/slider that Strasburg himself refers to as a slurve at 79–81; and a circle changeup averaging about 90.[38] Strasburg throws a mix of all four pitches to left-handed hitters, but he mostly eliminates the changeup when facing right-handed hitters. He is liable to throw his four-seamer or slurve to right-handers with 2 strikes, and adds the changeup in those counts against lefties.[39]

[edit] Mechanics

Strasburg's pitching mechanics have drawn concern over the years from scouts and coaches. The sequence of Strasburg's delivery places a great deal of stress on his arm, placing him at greater risk of elbow and shoulder injuries. Indeed, "several pitching coaches quietly predicted Strasburg was at risk" before the rupture of his elbow ligament.[40] Independent scout Paul Reddick compared his mechanics unfavorably with those of pitching legend Greg Maddux, saying Strasburg's motion is inefficient and badly synchronized.[41]

[edit] Personal life

Strasburg was born in San Diego, California,[42] the son of Kathleen Swett, a dietitian, and Jim Strasburg, a real estate developer.[43] He credits his maternal grandmother with helping him develop his baseball skills as a child. She would frequently play catch and even work on pitching with him. He labels her as one of his biggest inspirations. He was married on January 9, 2010, to Rachel Lackey.[44][45]

[edit] See also

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Crasnick, Jerry (June 2, 2010). "Bryce Harper, you're next: Will soon join Strasburg, Prior and A-Rod on list of most-hyped draft picks of all time". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/10601. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  2. ^ Verducci, Tom (May 18, 2010). "Nationals taking safe road with Strasburg but is it right one?". http://m.si.com/news/archive/archive/detail/2620334;jsessionid=FA48114DED35EA9A57CD015DEED9B327.cnnsi2b. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  3. ^ "NCAA Statistics". http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/rankings. 
  4. ^ "Final 2008 Season Statistics". San Diego State Aztec Athletics official website. http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/archive/061108aab.html. Retrieved 2010-06-09. 
  5. ^ Lewis, Edward (April 13, 2008). "BASEBALL: Strasburg strikes out 23 Utes". The Daily Aztec. http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2.7442/baseball-strasburg-strikes-out-23-utes-1.793677. Retrieved June 7, 2010. 
  6. ^ "San Diego State Final 2010 Baseball Statistics — SAN DIEGO STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Goaztecs.cstv.com. http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/sdsu-m-basebl-CumulativeStats.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  7. ^ Fitt, Aaron (2009-05-13). "Strasburg fans 17 in no-hitter". Baseball America. ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4160509. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 
  8. ^ "New England Collegiate Baseball League | 2007 AWARDS". Necbl.com. http://necbl.com/view/necbl/awards-14/2007-awards. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  9. ^ "Strasburg takes first loss". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-05-30. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4216074. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  10. ^ "Stephen Strasburg Biography and Statistics". http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/st/stephen-strasburg-1.html. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  11. ^ Harlan, Chico (August 18, 2009). "It's a Deal: Strasburg, Nationals Agree". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081800095.html. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  12. ^ "Strasburg contract numbers". The Los Angeles Times. August 17, 2009. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/08/strasburg-contract-numbers.html. Retrieved 2009-08-18. 
  13. ^ "Heyward, Strasburg lead Baseball America's Top 100 prospects". Baseball America. March 3, 2010. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/03/02/top.prospects/index.html. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  14. ^ Sheinin, Dave (June 18, 2010). "Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg's first two major league starts only bring more attention". The Washington Post. p. D01. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/17/AR2010061705517_pf.html. Retrieved June 18, 2010. 
  15. ^ Giger, Cory (April 3, 2010). "ESPNews will carry Curve vs. Strasburg live next Sunday". AltoonaMirror.com. http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/528490.html. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  16. ^ Leventhal, Josh (May, 18, 2010). "Strasburg Circus Rolls Into Rochester". Baseball America. http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/business/?p=372. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  17. ^ Ehalt, Matt (May 8, 2010). "Phenom Stephen Strasburg dazzles in his Triple-A debut with Syracuse Chiefs". nydailynews.com (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2010/05/08/2010-05-08_phenom_stephen_strasburg_dazzles_in_his_triplea_debut.html. Retrieved May 9, 2010. 
  18. ^ Waters, Mike (May 7, 2010). "Strasburg's debut sets Syracuse attendance record". The Post-Standard. http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2010/05/strasburgs_debut_sets_syracuse.html. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  19. ^ Kilgore, Adam (May 13, 2010). "Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg no-hits Class AAA Norfolk Tides over six innings". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051205279.html. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  20. ^ Sheinin, Dave (June 4, 2010). "Stephen Strasburg ends minor league stint with another dazzler". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304607.html. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  21. ^ Posnanski, Joe (June 7, 2010). "What Took You So Long?". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1170229/index.htm. Retrieved June 7, 2010. 
  22. ^ Starkey, Ted (June 8, 2010). "Strasburg sets Nationals record in debut". The Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jun/8/strasburg-sets-nationals-record-debut/. Retrieved 2010-06-09. 
  23. ^ Stark, Jason (June 9, 2010). "Strasburg's reality almost unreal". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=5266515. Retrieved June 9, 2010. 
  24. ^ White, Joseph (June 8, 2010). "Strasburg strikes out 14 in impressive debut". NBC Sports. Associated Press. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37582003/ns/sports-baseball/. Retrieved June 9, 2010. 
  25. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (June 9, 2010). "Thrill on the Hill: Strasburg wows". MLB.com. http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100609&content_id=10975368&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was. Retrieved June 9, 2010. 
  26. ^ "MLB.com: Gameday". MLB.com. June 8, 2010. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_06_08_pitmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=gameday. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  27. ^ Santo, Michael (June 9, 2010). "Nats Pitcher Stephen Strasburg Hits 100 MPH in Major League Debut". HULIQ.com. http://www.huliq.com/3257/nats-pitcher-stephen-strasburg-hits-100-mph-major-league-debut. Retrieved June 13, 2010. 
  28. ^ Kercheval, Nancy (June 19, 2010). "White Sox Defeat Nationals 2-1; Rookie Strasburg Sets MLB Pitching Record". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-19/white-sox-defeat-nationals-2-1-rookie-strasburg-sets-mlb-pitching-record.html. Retrieved June 20, 2010. 
  29. ^ Steinberg, Dan (June 15, 2010). "Strasburg's Sports Illustrated cover". DC Sports Bog (The Washington Post). http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/06/strasburgs_sports_illustrated.html. Retrieved June 15, 2010. 
  30. ^ Kilgore, Adam (2010-07-29). "Nationals Journal — Stephen Strasburg headed to disabled list". Voices.washingtonpost.com. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/07/stephen_strasburg_headed_to_di.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  31. ^ Sheinin, Dave (2010-08-21). "Nationals Journal — Strasburg removed with apparent injury". Voices.washingtonpost.com. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/strasburg_removed_with_apparen.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  32. ^ Kilgore, Adam (2010-08-27). "Stephen Strasburg 'probably' needs Tommy John surgery, will miss 12 to 18 months". Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/stephen_strasburg_probably_nee.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  33. ^ "Valencia awarded with rookie honor". Mlb.com. November 29, 2010. http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101129&content_id=16225164&vkey=news_min&c_id=min. Retrieved December 11, 2010. 
  34. ^ Strasburg throws, ready for next rehab start
  35. ^ Baseball Reference
  36. ^ Kilgor, Adam (May 2, 2012). "Stephen Strasburg named National League Pitcher of the Month". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/stephen-strasburg-named-national-league-pitcher-of-the-month/2012/05/02/gIQAMOiRxT_blog.html. Retrieved May 4, 2012. 
  37. ^ Karpovich, Todd. Strasburg homers in win, but suffers arm tightness MLB.com Retrieved May 21, 2012
  38. ^ "Strasburg's repertoire consists of four pitches". Baseball Tonight Clubhouse — ESPN. http://espn.go.com/mlb/notebook/_/page/bbtn100426/baseball-tonight-clubhouse. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
  39. ^ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Stephen Strasburg". Brooks Baseball. http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=544931. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  40. ^ Verducci, Tom (8 March 2011). "Mechanical flaw will be red flag for Nationals' Stephen Strasburg - Tom Verducci - SI.com". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tom_verducci/03/08/stephen.strasburg.mechanics/index.html. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  41. ^ Berra, Lindsey (23 March 2012). "A comparison of Stephen Strasburg and Greg Maddux's pitching mechanics - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN". ESPN The Magazine. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7726953/a-comparison-stephen-strasburg-greg-maddux-pitching-mechanics-espn-magazine. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  42. ^ "Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals". http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1675980/stephen-strasburg. 
  43. ^ Jenkins, Lee (2009-03-25). "San Diego State righthander Stephen Strasburg likely first pick in June". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/03/25/stephen.strasburg/1.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  44. ^ Sheinin, Dave (2010-01-21). "Strasburg finally signs... a marriage license". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/01/strasburg_finally_signs_a_marr.html. Retrieved 2010-06-09. 
  45. ^ "Standing room only for Stephen Strasburg's Washington Nationals debut". ESPN. 2010-06-08. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5261829. Retrieved 2010-06-09. 

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Preceded by
Tim Beckham		 First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft
2009		 Succeeded by
Bryce Harper
Preceded by
Javier Vázquez		 National League Pitcher of the Month
April 2012		 Succeeded by
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