Washington Nationals: MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo On Stephen Strasburg.

by Patrick Reddington on Jan 28, 2010 4:19 PM EST

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo was on the MLB Network last night to unveil the list of the Top 50 Prospects in Baseball, which had the Washington Nationals' '09 No. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg ranked second behind only Atlanta Braves' outfielder Jason Heyward. Mr. Mayo was on Sirius/XM's Inside Pitch this afternoon with Casey Stern and Kevin Kennedy to talk about the prospects on the list, and he had this to say about Strasburg's future in DC:

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo: "I think in the end it's going to be dependent on how he pitches, and I'm gonna guess that he's going to pitch his way to Washington at some point this year. I think the Nationals are not going to rush him, but they're also not going to get in his way. I can see a scenario where he maybe starts the year in Potomac, in High-A, Carolina League, give him three or four starts there, let him dominate, move him up to Double-A, same scenario. So, we're talking about a guy who's in Triple-A by June, and then let's see, by the All-Star break, if he's really just dominating Triple-A hitters, then you can say, 'Alright, well you know what, he's pitched his way to the big leagues.' So I think the big mistake would be if they rushed him because it would be kind of the good PR move, and I have a sense that they're well aware of that, and will let him take his time...and, listen, there's nothing horrible if he gets some bumps along the way and ends up spending a full year in the minors, and then hits the rotation Opening Day next year. I know there will be call for him, that being said, you'll see him in September at the absolute latest."

• ?'s For The DC Faithful: Did you assume Strasburg would be a part of the 2010 rotation from the start of the season? Would you rather see Strasburg work his way up to Washington? If Strasburg's head and shoulders above the other pitchers in Spring Training with the Nats, should they let him start the season in DC? Did you just call to buy season tickets at Potomac? Go P-Nats Go!!!

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Holy Cow !!! I gotta go get some tix, man !!!

Let the man build himself up in the minors. Let the Nats take their time with him. What Bowden’s not making the call anymore, eh, so we know the grown-ups will make a better decision, right?

by Berndaddy on Jan 28, 2010 4:51 PM EST reply actions

Memorial Day. put it on the calendar.

they can’t wait any longer than that. when school gets out, they are going to want to get people in the stands.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at District Sports Page on Jan 28, 2010 4:52 PM EST reply actions

way tooooooooooooo much *********** speculation in January......

Will be so happy when it’s over…and Spring training begins….. with every Pitching contender getting a shot to go north, based on TALENT…..not politics…

you can leave a young position player in the minors to play everyday if he’s just gonna sit on the bench ..PH…play now and then….but if you are the best 1-2-3 SP or RP in spring training….you PRODUCE quality starts or quality relief appearances getting major leaguers OUT……you come NORTH!!!!

LOSING UGLY here in April has become a bad habit that multiplies like a virulent virus into a terminal season ending illness.

by The Mamba on Jan 28, 2010 4:53 PM EST reply actions

Storen & Strasburg

I don’t think we should rush either of them but if they are one of the best we have let them pitch. I am not on the side of keeping someone down to get a extra year. Its been very tough 2 years some promise would be nice.

by rbolt on Jan 28, 2010 7:01 PM EST reply actions

Give him time to learn

Even if he is the best pitcher in spring training and even if he wins every start, that only covers 1/5 of the games. Plenty of opportunity to do as bad/worse than last year. I’m not a scout but if he really does have dangerous mechanics then the last thing that us who are putting so much hope on him want is a year out after surgery. One player does not a team make and as much as I would love to see him pick apart opposing lineups, I still think he should get his delivery straight in the minors. After all, I thought we were supposed to be past learning on the job

by TJL on Jan 28, 2010 8:34 PM EST reply actions