Stephen Strasburg

[Johnny Rockets]

So Strasburg makes his debut tomorrow night. I believe the game will be shown on MLB network. Question is....as the most hyped prospect of all time (at least since Dwight Gooden), does he live up to the expectations?

[JakeFlake]

All of the dye-in-the-wool baseball people who have been around forever say he is the best they have ever seen.

Honestly, I have a great deal of respect for the Nationals organization for being (reasonably) patient with this kid and not rushing him to the show out of spring training, which would have been very easy to do and nobody would have said a negative word about it. I am interested to see how he begins the game, if he has any nerves and leaves a couple up in the zone and they touch him for a couple.

[Johnny Rockets]

All of the dye-in-the-wool baseball people who have been around forever say he is the best they have ever seen.

Honestly, I have a great deal of respect for the Nationals organization for being (reasonably) patient with this kid and not rushing him to the show out of spring training, which would have been very easy to do and nobody would have said a negative word about it. I am interested to see how he begins the game, if he has any nerves and leaves a couple up in the zone and they touch him for a couple.

I could be wrong about this but I am pretty sure that if he was called up before June it would have counted as one year of his contract which would have made him one year closer to free agency. By bringing him up in June it does not count towards his contract. So even after this year, I think he would still have 4 years left on his deal. I think that played a big part in him not starting his career in the Show. Like I said, I could be wrong but I swear I heard that before years ago about another player.

I am pulling for him, I hope he is all that is advertised and dominates for years to come.

[JakeFlake]

I could be wrong about this but I am pretty sure that if he was called up before June it would have counted as one year of his contract which would have made him one year closer to free agency. By bringing him up in June it does not count towards his contract. So even after this year, I think he would still have 4 years left on his deal. I think that played a big part in him not starting his career in the Show. Like I said, I could be wrong but I swear I heard that before years ago about another player.

I am pulling for him, I hope he is all that is advertised and dominates for years to come.

you are right. I read that in SI this past week. Bringing him up now instead of before delays his arbitration one year. But still, they could have done it anyway out of pure excitement and to sell some tickets.

[Scrumtrilescent]

I could be wrong about this but I am pretty sure that if he was called up before June it would have counted as one year of his contract which would have made him one year closer to free agency. By bringing him up in June it does not count towards his contract. So even after this year, I think he would still have 4 years left on his deal. I think that played a big part in him not starting his career in the Show. Like I said, I could be wrong but I swear I heard that before years ago about another player.

I am pulling for him, I hope he is all that is advertised and dominates for years to come.

Braves did that with Tommy Hanson. And were thinking about it with His Holiness until the entire team about mutinied.

[Swarly]

I think it'll be impossible to live up to the expectations he has on his shoulders. That's not saying he won't have a great career, because I really think he will, but man I have NEVER seen a player more hyped than Strasburg.

I do think that the Nationals are building up a great team for him to work with, so that's something that will help him out in the long run.

[Scrumtrilescent]

I remember the hype machine for the Met's up and coming starters in the mid 90s. Generation K. Fail.

[Panthro]

So is he more like Brien Taylor or Todd Van Poppel?

[JakeFlake]

I remember the hype machine for the Met's up and coming starters in the mid 90s. Generation K. Fail.

Also known as the NYPD. New York Pitching Department. Isringhausen was the only one who did anything relevant at the MLB level.

[Epistaxis]

From the little that I have seen, he is the real deal.

12-6 curve, change, fastball with late movement....the works.

Had to mention Prior, didntcha? ugh

Anyway, barring injury I think he lives up to expectations, but it really depends on body of work, and he has none.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Overworked. Arm trouble by year 4. Wait, that sounds familiar.

[bubbadawg]

Garrett Jones takes him deep. Pirates lose lead in 5th and kid gets his first win. Ya heard it here first.

[Johnny Rockets]

Garrett Jones takes him deep. Pirates lose lead in 5th and kid gets his first win. Ya heard it here first.

Bubbadawg longs for the day when he no longer has to type the words Pirates and lose in the same sentence. How he hangs in there, I'll never know.....

[Jbro]

I voted #4