You've heard about the 103 mph heater. The No. 1 pick in last year's draft. The big contract. The hype.
So, how good will Stephen Strasburg be? This year?
According to Curt Schilling, Strasburg may be MLB's best. Right now.
Can that be true? And if it is, does it make any sense for Strasburg to be toiling away in AAA, where he no-hits teams over 6 innings, like he did tonight?
No. Not one bit.
Although it does make cents. And that's why Washington is going through one of the most painful penny-pitching episodes we've seen. The Super 2 rule is keeping the young phenom in Syracuse right now pitching for the Chiefs.
Most conventional wisdom think Strasburg will start three more games with Syracuse, with an extra day of rest in between each start and make his debut on June 4 to kick off a homestand against Cincinnati. He'll then be able to pitch another home game against Pittsburgh.
But in the meantime, it's time for you to act. If you're still skeptical, look at Strasburg's minor league numbers. Hint: You'll need a microscope to locate his ERA and WHIP.
Go grab him from the wire, if he happens to be still sitting around. According to Yahoo, he's only owned by 72 percent of owners with some 9 percent already starting the future National.
Those 9 percent are likely leagues without a bench spot. The 28 percent of leagues that he's not owned may be primarily leagues without a spot to stash him away. Or perhaps a league without a pulse.
In any case, he's worth riding in a live spot for 3 weeks, I'm almost certain.
And if he's not available, make his owner an offer right now. Offer him any hitter outside a third-round value and see what happens. This kid has a plus fastball, change and curve.
Sure, he could get lit up like Tim Lincecum did in his 2007 debut. But the Nationals are a solid team, with a fine back end of the bullpen (see Tyler Clippard) and even in 17-18 starts, Strasburg could post 10-12 wins along with 120Ks, if Washington keeps his innings down like they say they will. He'll almost certainly lower your ERA and WHIP as well.
The real shame will be if to the Nats fans, if they miss the playoffs by a handful of games or less and Strasburg had 10 starts in the minors before they promoted him.
Remember, their reason: He needs to work on his stretch delivery? Ha. Yeah. Sure.
Here's a clip from his San Diego State University days when he struck out 23 in a game.
Yup, 23.
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