Who is Stephen Strasburg?

I went to see Stephen Strasburg pitch last Friday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium on the campus of San Diego State University against the Air Force Academy. Strasburg had a nice little outing, amassing 17 strikeouts, walking two, and completing his first no-hitter since Little League in 116 pitches.

The Air Force is not fielding an excellent team this season, and it was the second time that they had been no-hit this year.

Strasburg is 11-0 this season with a 1.24 ERA. The opposition is batting just .161 against him, and in 87.1 innings of work he has given up only 48 hits while striking out 164 and walking just 17.

These gaudy stats and the fact that he is consistent in throwing heaters in the 97-98 mph range, sometimes peaking over 100 mph, will ensure that he become the number one pick of the Washington Nationals next month in Major League Baseball's amateur draft.

With that kind of velocity along with superb control and the ability to throw breaking balls and changeups for strikes, as well, he is a devastating college pitcher.

He competed for the USA Olympic Team in Beijing and performed well, especially against The Netherlands squad.

In watching him toss the no-hitter, I was impressed at his compact windup and how he easily repeated it over and over. He was always around the plate, mixed up his pitches very well, and went right after the hitters. Catcher Erik Castro had an easy night and did not have to move his mitt much at all.

Frankly, I'd like to see him get his arm up a bit upon separating his hands from the mitt, but it's not horrible or scary, like a lot of pitchers I see, including in the big leagues. It's just that the harder you throw, the more important your mechanics become. As you watch video of him pitch, note how he is angled on the rubber so that when he pivots slightly and raises his left knee, he is quickly in the power position to deliver the ball.

With his mature demeanor, international experience, and impressive array of pitches on the hill, Strasburg has a chance to make an early entry in the majors for the lowly Nationals. The question will be how quickly this Scott Boras client can come to terms and become a professional pitcher.

Do you recall when outfielder J.D. Drew was about to go pro, was also represented by Scott Boras, and that they demanded in excess of $10 million from the Philadelphia Phillies who refused to pay that much? Under the rules, Drew sat out the year, played some Independent League ball, went back into the draft and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for $3 million.

Was it worth it for Drew to miss a season? The Phillies offered $2.6 million.

Let's hope that Strasburg--despite the rumors of $50 million package demands--can reach a quick accord and strut his stuff as a pro sooner than later.

What do YOU think of his mechanics? Here is a link to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM-iYpHjNts