Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg is a professional Major League Baseball player. He is a right-handed pitcher who was drafted in 2009 by the Washington Nationals with the first overall selection of the draft. .ESPN: Nats take RHP Strasburg at No. 1 The word Phenom is generally associated with Stephen and his 103 mile per hour fastball, and major league scouts consider him a once in a generation pitcher.

Strasburg was born on July 20, 1988 in San Diego, California. He attended West Hills HS in Santee, California where he was West Hills Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

He then enrolled at San Diego State University, majoring in “Public Administration” and in 2009 was recipient of both the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/components/team/player/bio_iframe.html?is_mug_shot=true&roster_cid=was&cid=was&player_id=544931 He posted 13 double-digit strikeout games and hurled scoreless ball 7 times in 15 starts. During his Junior year, Stephen posted 13 wins against only 1 loss with a 1.32 ERA. He struck out an NCAA best 195 hitters in 109.0 innings; an average of 16 K's per 9.0 innings pitched. On May 8, in front of capacity crowd at Tony Gwynn Stadium, Strasburg struck out 17 while no-hitting Air Force.

While in college, Stephen recorded 23 strikeouts in one game, a MWC and SDSU record.

He was also a member of the USA 2008 Beijing, China Bronze Medal winning Olympic Team.http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/st/stephen-strasburg-1.html Against the Netherlands he allowed 1 hit in 7 innings and struck out 11. The result was a 7 – 0 victory for the united States. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2008/boxscores/baseball/BBM400905.html

Strasburg is represented by agent Scott Boras who prior to his signing with the Washington Nationalhas let it be known publicly that he is interested in getting a $50 million contract for Strasburg. The current high water mark for a rookie contract coming out of the draft is prior pitching sensation Mark Prior who fizzled in the Major Leagues.

On August 16 at 11:58:43 p.m, seventy-seven seconds before the signing deadline for the 2009 draft, Strasburg signed a contract for $15.1 million, with a $7.5 million signing bonus, to be paid out in three annual installments.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/08/strasburg-contract-numbers.html

While participating in the Arizona Fall League, he suffered freakish knee injury during the Phoenix Desert Dogs batting practice on November 19. One day later, a precautionary exam performed today by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles revealed a patellar subluxation in the left knee. The injury's treatment included rest and physical therapy, but did not require surgery and Strasburg was 100 percent for 2010 Spring Training.

In 22 innings pitched at the Washington National’s affiliate Double AA Harrisburg Senators,http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=547 Stephen allowed 13 hits and 4 earned runs. He compiled a 3 win, 1 loss record and an ERA of 1.64. He also fanned 27 hitters, while issuing only 6 base on balls before being promoted to the Triple AAA Syracuse Chiefs.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=552 While at Syracuse he won 4 games; losing 1 and recorded a 1.08 Earned Run Average. Strasburg struck out 38 batters against only 7 walks and allowed 4 earned runs in 33 innings.

The parent club, Nationals plan to have him make his Major League debuthttp://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100526&content_id=10457050&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was against the Pittsburgh Pirates between June 8th and June 10th as they feel he is more than ready to face major league hitters.

The fans and news media are anxiously awaiting his arrival on the Major League scene. Anything less than a dominating quality start will be a disappointment to many of those fans in attendance. On june 08, he will make his Major League Debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

June 08, 2010 - Stephen made his Major League debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates and was everything he was supposed to be. He pitched 7 innings, striking out 14 and allowing 0 walks and 4 hits. He gave up 2 runs on a home run off the bat of Delwyn Young and left the game leading 4 to 2.