Stephen Strasburg is the Next Superstar in Baseball

21 year old Stephen Strasburg was just an overweight pitcher for the San Diego State University Aztecs in 2007. He was an above average pitcher who was throwing in the very low 90's. After getting himself in shape and ready for his sophomore season, Strasburg went 8-3 with a 1.57 ERA, 133 K's in only 97 1/3 innings. That's an average of 1.5 K's per inning. He struck out 23 batters in one game against the University of Utah in one of those games, which was a Mountain West Conference Record. Strasburg's 2009 season was even better if you can imagine that with a record of 13-1, ERA of 1.32, 195 K's in 109 innings (which is very close to 2 K's per inning on average) and giving up 59 hits on the season. His last appearance as an Aztec on May 8th, 2009 was a no hitter against Air Force where he struck out 17 batters in a game.

Now, after being the number 1 draft pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft and signed a 4 year contract of 15.1 Million dollars (which was a record for any draft pick), he made his debut as a Washington National and the power to throw 100 mph.

Strasburg made his major-league debut on June 8, 2010, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Stephen was supposed to go 6 innings or have a pitch count of 90 pitches. He ended up throwing more pitches and more innings because he was throwing so well. He is the first pitcher in major league history to debut with over ten K's (14)and not allowing a walk. Talk about incredible command of his pitches. Strasburg has command of 4 pitches: a two seam fastball, a four seam fastball, a change up, and a curve ball. He did let up a lucky two run homer but he didn't let that stop him from setting a team record of 14 K's in a game since the nationals moved back to DC. He also tied the record this season so far for K's in a game (14).

His performance was truly dominating and inspiring. He surpassed the hype and made every baseball fan young or old giddy, like a child going to their first baseball game. Stephen Strasburg is a once in a lifetime player that will be remembered forever if he stays healthy. He has the potential to be the next Nolan Ryan and probably set new records statistically as well as monetary (He will probably be signed for an absurd amount when his contract is up.) He is now baseball's golden child like Derek Jeter was for so many years.

I am buying tickets to the Nats game when he comes to Philly July 30th, 31st, and August 1st to see him pitch live (I hope his spot in the rotation is then).

Roughs R Ready

Summer Catch

June 2nd marked the beginning of another Roughrider season at our new field in Lindenwold, NJ. The field is an upgrade from what we have been calling our home field the past 5 years. Farwood field was an all dirt infield (with plenty of rocks) and an outfield without a fence. It was pretty busch league if you ask me. Now we have a home field that is not embarrassing and one we can use to our advantage. I say our advantage because our new field has lights and we normally play games from 6:10 pm to darkness during the week. Our Wednesday night home games are going to be starting at 7:30 and played for all seven innings.


June 2nd: Cherry Hill vs ROUGHRIDERS

Mike Reagle took the hill for us for the first 4 innings of work against Cherry Hill. I don't have his exact stats but he had a solid performance allowing only 1 run with a couple strikeouts. On the offensive side, Adriano Petrutz lead off the game with a solo shot to deep left and knew it as soon as he hit it. Later in the third, Andrew Frangos matched him with a two run blast to the same spot in deep left.

I was called in for the final three innings against Cherry Hill in relief. Our Coach, Bill Kohut, does not want our starters to go the full distance because we are not yet in shape to do so. His solution, the starters split time during games until we build up enough stamina to go the full distance if needed. Back to the game.. the moral was pretty down when I entered the game for Cherry Hill. I faced 10 batters, struck out 2, walked 1 and did not allow a hit. I normally prefer to be a starter because I am not that familiar with the closer or relief role, but I enjoyed finishing the game. My appearance would be considered "long relief," which is relieving for more than an inning. With Mike Reagle's solid start,my no hit 3 innings to close the game, and some explosive offense, the Roughriders won their opening game and I earned my first save of the season.

My coach also writes post game recaps as well after every week.