Stephen Strasburg Throws 3.1 Scoreless In AFL Debut.

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 16, 2009 11:18 PM EDT Comment 30 comments

More photos » by Charles Dharapak - AP

Stephen Strasburg pitched into the fourth in his AFL debut, but was out (seemingly on a pitch count) after 3.1 IP as the 21-year-old right-hander allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and 0 ER with 2 K's and 2 DP grounders from the Scottsdale Scorpions' hitters, who ground out 8 times total, and fail to do any real damage to the Nationals' '09 No. 1 overall pick. Strasburg throws 50 pitches, 32 for strikes, (and hits 98 mph on the gun according to live reports from the Nats Farm Authority), before he's lifted in the fourth after giving up a leadoff single and getting a force at second with a groundout. Strasburg's replaced by O's prospect Eddie Gamboa, who gets a DP grounder out of Philles' OF prospect Domonic Brown to finish the frame...

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• DH Danny Espinosa.

• Long Inning For Storen.

(cont.)...

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• DH Danny Espinosa. DC SS prospect Danny Espinosa wasn't in the field to help Stephen Strasburg last night, but he was in the lineup, serving as the Phoenix Desert Dogs' DH and going 0 for 2 with a run scored, 2 walks and 2 K's. Espinosa took the second of two back to back walks that started the Phoenix first, and scored on the second-straight single off Scottsdale Scorpions' starter Edgar Garcia.

• Long Inning For Storen.

Drew Storen took the hill in the eighth inning of last night's game with the Desert Dogs ahead 7-2 over Scottsdale, but the Scorpions, with the help of a two-out error by Phoenix shortstop Shawn O'Malley, were able to score two runs in the inning, though both were unearned. Storen got the first batter he faced looking for a backwards K and then got a groundout to short before surrendering a two-out single. The next Scottsdale hitter, Phillies' OF prospect Domonic Brown, hit a grounder to short, but an error on the throw to second gave the Scorpions a fourth out which they used to knock in two with back to back single to close the gap to 7-4. Storen's line: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 K's, 28 pitches, 20 strikes.

Final score, Desert Dogs 9, Scorpions 2 - MLB Gameday.

Desert Dogs now 3-1.

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Very Nice.

Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
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by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 16, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Looked good on the Gameday...going out at end of month to see for myself...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 16, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cant wait to hear reports from the Front!

Checking in as always…

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 16, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is he going to skip AA ball?

I live close enough to Harrisburg PA (Harrisburg Senators) and would love to get an autograph and see him before he’s known as one of the best ever!

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Oct 17, 2009 7:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not to be a pessimist...

But since the jump from 100+ loss team to contender is unlikely, I wouldn’t mind seeing Stras work his way through the system…maybe a start or two at each level before he debuts…even if he already is the best starter…

PS- Nice to hear from you, Capt. It’s been a while!!

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 17, 2009 12:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

The Nats have been handling him very well so far. In this case, it’s better to err on the side of caution. to be sure. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pitch two games at every level: ultimately, good for him, and an even better PR move for the Nats, who will generate interest in their minor league teams.

by John Quinn on Oct 17, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So how do you think they'll bring him up?

A,AA,then, AAA?

Yeah my new job doesn’t give me as much time to participate as I used to.

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Oct 17, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Much as I'd like to see him start at Potomac or Harrisburg...

…unless Rizzo goes out and gets the starter or two they’ve talked about I think they might be forced to keep Strasburg in DC…

How they would decide where to start him in the minors I have no idea.

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 17, 2009 1:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Article on ESPN on his impresssive debut.

“With his composure and his stuff, there’s no reason this kid should not be Washington’s Opening Day starter next year,” one major league scout said. “He’s better than anything they have. There’s no reason for him to spend time in the minors.”

Article taken from here.

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Oct 17, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really wish it was still Zimmermann and Stras at the top of the rotation...

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 17, 2009 3:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

He should have a few starts in the minors. He might be the best we have (which isnt much) but he still needs to learn how to get good hitters out.

I miss J-Zim. :(

Padilla walked into the Nats' clubhouse for the first time and said, "My God. I'm in heaven."

by Mezza on Oct 17, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Next start is Thursday... live with pitch f/x!

The MLB.com article implies he’ll pitch every 5th game (and thus every 6th day) if that helps your planning. It mentions his next start as Thursday.

This’ll be a day game, so about 3:30PM EDT and since he’ll be pitching in Peoria, I believe we should get the pitch f/x data with speed and movement data.

There’s also a good article from USA Today that says Strasburg got both his strikeouts on changeups and that he induced the two double plays with sinkers. Same article says the Cubs’ radar gun clocked his fastball throughout 94 and 98.

And the Washington Times has a nice article up which mentions that the first single was against Stras’s curve and the second against a fastball. They had him clocked at up to 99 mph, both on the first pitch and the last.

I’m impressed Neal got a hold of his curve. Not sure how it was last night, but from what I saw of his college career on webcasts and such, that’s one filthy pitch.

by cassander on Oct 17, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the roundup...

Looks like they unleashed the Stras a bit if he was mid-to-high 90’s all night, can’t wait to get a good look at that change everyone is raving about…

And +1 on Pitch F/X for his next start, just seeing location on gameday while better than nothing is not much better….

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 17, 2009 12:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I cant wait for next year.

Watching Strasburg become a great player and having more confidence in our bullpen with Storen there.

Get Oher or Maybin please

by Horcasitas4 on Oct 17, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Having a bona fide ace if all goes as planned...

…will certainly be different, and a return to a Cordero-esque lights-out stopper would be nice…no offense to Mike “Set-Up Man” MacDougal!!

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Ed Chigliak on Oct 17, 2009 12:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs