It's all about a good first impression....

by BatesHorn on Jun 9, 2010 9:53 AM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Baseball

And Stephen Strasburg made one last night in about the most impressive way possible. It's pretty hard to think of anybody in recent history with a debut to match Strasburg's 7 inning, 2 ER, 14 K victory on 94 pitches last night. He did not walk any batters, threw first pitch strikes to 16 of 25 batters and had 65 strikes out of his overall pitch count. Other than a borderline mistake to Delwyn Young to give up a two run homer, he was thoroughly dominant. Granted, it's the Pirates, and they gifted Strasburg 3-4 strikeouts by swinging at eye level rising fastballs, but the talent is undeniable.

The closest comparison I can come up with is Kerry Wood's 20 strike out gem five games into his major league career. Wood's effort was a better overall game, but it wasn't his first game out of the gates, so your mileage may vary.

Having watched the game, when he's on, Strasburg clearly has some of the best, if not the best, stuff in the game, right now. His four seamer just explodes on hitters in the 98-100 mph range, with some nice, Pedro-esque, late movement. His change up (I think), the pitch Young got a hold of, is also A+, with good sink. I say I think because he throws it hard enough (88-92) that you could conceivably call it a sinker.

The slurve is just devastating, as if Strasburg has a string attached to it that he yanks a few feet before it gets to the plate, creating a strong downward movement that dives down and a little away from right handers. It tended to come in between 79-82 mph and was almost always a strike, which denies hitters the ability to lay off it's late movement in hopes of coaxing a ball. The only hard breaking pitch that I can remember with similar, if less extreme movement, was John Smoltz slider while he was in his prime.

As horribly tempting as it must have been for Jim Riggleman to send Strasburg out for the 8th and give him a shot at a complete game, the Nationals wisely elected to put Strasburg back into the bubblewrap. Had it been Dusty Baker, we'd be reading lots of articles about how the Nats are going old school letting Strasburg throw lots of pitches like the good ol' days of Dizzy, Rapid Robert, and Nolan and young pitchers are a bunch of sissies who should be throwing 130 pitches a night.

The Nats kids glove treatment of Strasburg is the right thing to do. There's some fairly strong speculation that Strasburg complicated and violent motion is an injury waiting to happen and, imo, that slurve or slider, with it's dramatic snap, is one of those power breaking pitches, like Mike Scott's splitter, that we should enjoy while it lasts. On the upside, Strasburg's almost inhuman ability to throw strikes with a powerful late moving fastball will allow him, like Roy Halladay, to just pound hitters with the heater and only use the breaking stuff as an out pitch.

Strasburg is scheduled to face the Indians at 1:05 on Sunday and while most of ya'll have probably given up on baseball for dead, I'd urge the remaining adherents to find a bar with a MLB package and catch the game. Because I'm recommending it, he's probably going to get rocked, but his pure stuff, right now, is something to behold.

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Comments

Wood’s 20-K game is the best comparison. Like Wood, I can’t envision a scenario where Strasburg doesn’t get hurt. The last “freak” college pitcher with wicked stuff — Lincecum — is already showing signs of lost velocity.

by HornsLaw on Jun 9, 2010 10:56 AM CDT reply actions

I’m excited to see how Strasburg pitches from here on out. I think Strasburg’s 1st start met the hype that it was supposed to be.

by Petey on Jun 9, 2010 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

I also worry about the slurve and his LT health. OTOH, he does a nice job of using his lower body to produce a lot of that power.

Strasburg will give up doubles & HR’s because of his velocity, but fans won’t care as long as he keeps striking out 5-6 hitters in between.

by Matt Cotcher on Jun 9, 2010 12:14 PM CDT reply actions

… and to think I used to not care that my cable carries all 162 Nats games. That all changed last night.

Interestingly, Orel Hershiser, John Smoltz, and Rob Dibble all described Strasburg’s delivery as “free and easy” meaning not as stressful on his shoulder and elbow as some might think. Hershiser noted that all of Strasburg’s pitches come from the same arm slot within the same compact motion … again minimizing injury.

Based on some of the comments made by Nats GM Mike Rizzo, Strasburg may be shut down by September and not pitch more than 200 innings next season. I really hope they stick to their plan because I would flat out love to watch this guy every fifth day for years to come.

by VirginiaLonghorn on Jun 9, 2010 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

VAHorn, follow the link I posted in the article. Mark Prior was also supposed to be a low injury risk due to his classic, smooth right hander’s delivery. The link, along with some other articles I’ve read, hypothosizes that shoulder injuries are more a result of how high the pitching arm is brought and subsequently turned over, creating a reverse W, as opposed to how smoothly the pitcher moves through his wind up.

by Bateshorn on Jun 9, 2010 12:57 PM CDT reply actions

Bateshorn … I read the analysis. My post offered rebuttal based on the post-game commentary of three former ML pitchers (two of whom with impressive credentials, one a former ML pitching coach).

At the end of the day, genetics and luck will probably decide Strasburg’s fate.

by VirginiaLonghorn on Jun 9, 2010 1:38 PM CDT reply actions

It would be good if the Nats became contenders.

After yesterday’s draft (Kevin Keyes and Bryce Harper), that should happen pretty soon.

by dick on Jun 9, 2010 1:54 PM CDT reply actions

What is up with the clock on BC? It says that Dick’s post was written 7 hours and 57 minutes ago. My computer has the current time as 3:07 pm and Dick’s post was timed at 11:54 am.

I am missing some timing convention in the BC universe?

by BornaHorn on Jun 9, 2010 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

BC’s servers at located at the nexus of the universe so whatever time zone that is

by dick on Jun 9, 2010 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

I wrote that 2:39pm post at 4:50pm. we’ll call the electrician out.

by dick on Jun 9, 2010 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

Actually, how the Nat’s use him (or don’t) will probably be the most important factor in his health. Since I’m on blackberry and if you’re interested, I’ll direct you to Baseball Prospectus extensive work on the topic of pitch counts and pitcher health, specifically Keith Woolner. Google it.

FWIW: the three pitchers commenting on Strasburg’s form have spent a LOT of combined time on the DL. So there’s that.

by bateshorn on Jun 9, 2010 5:44 PM CDT reply actions

Fascinating read. As both a baseball troglodyte and appreciator I will offer that I can’t see how this can last. Having watched both Prior and Wood ruin themselves on the mantel of bringing about Cubs greatness I just don’t see how mere non-Nolans can offer any longevity.

I will enjoy the ride though.

by lowery on Jun 10, 2010 1:52 AM CDT reply actions