Stephen Strasburg winds up for Team USA during last year's Summer Olympics. Yesterday, the San Diego State phenom was the first pick in the MLB draft, selected by the Washington Nationals. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times)
Before the Washington Nationals moved prior to the 2005 season, they were synonymous with letting young talent get away. The laundry list of former Expos/Nationals has evolved into a who's who of baseball, with its residents including Randy Johnson, Andres Galarraga, Larry Walker, Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero, Javier Vazquez and Alfonso Soriano, just to name a few. Add Stephen Strasburg to the list; but with an asterisk: He's the first major name, unless you count Ryan Zimmerman, that is a threat to stay within the nation's capital.
Strasburg, as expected, was the first pick in last night's MLB amateur draft. The pitcher out of San Diego State University has been clocked at 100 miles per hour on radar guns this season, and his arrival gives the Nationals a potential ace for years to come. Place an emphasis on potential, but not due to injury. Instead, stress the word "potential" because of Strasburg's agent, the ubiquitous thorn in the sides of MLB front offices that is the one and only Scott Boras.
Boras has been reported to seek a contract nearing $50 million for Strasburg, a deal that would obliterate the previous record set by beleaguered former No. 1 pick and frequent denizen of the disabled list Mark Prior, who commanded and received $10.5 million in 2001 from the Chicago Cubs.
Strasburg's credentials also include 195 strikeouts in 109 innings this season, two totals that include a no-hitter against Air Force; a performance that saw him fan 17 Falcons hitters. The Nationals have until August 15th to sign Strasburg and retain his rights.
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