Stephen Strasburg's first ST outing

by St. Baztadd on Mar 9, 2026 3:12 PM EST Comment 47 comments

2ip, 2h, 0er, 0bb, 2ks.

According to MLB.com, his fastball velocity was awesome, never hitting lower than 96 on the gun. His curveball had awesome bite and travelled at 80-81mph. He even struck out Miguel Cabrera on a curveball-curveball-98 mph fastball combo.

I think this is great news for all the Nats fans out there. The kid handled the pressure of being under the microscope fairly well. Even though his overall performance was very positive and tells us that the best of it lies ahead, I wouldn't quote MLB.com's writer on saying it was dazzling.

Very early to say, since he only logged a couple of innings, but by extrapolating some better, some badder outings out of his ST, do you think he starts the season in DC?

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Sample size not small enough

Who loves orange soda?

by Kenan and Kel on Mar 9, 2026 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

good one

by son.of.sourman on Mar 9, 2026 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Mar 9, 2026 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vince Mazzaro

all over again.

by wobatus on Mar 9, 2026 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vince Mazzaro dreams he had Strasburgs stuff though...

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Mar 9, 2026 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I knew

I should have added the :)

by wobatus on Mar 10, 2026 6:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

stras...

In no way should he start in DC, it hurts nothing at all to give him a month or 2 in the minors. Also his outing wasn’t as sharp as the numbers/write up will tell you. Don’t get me wrong he looked awesome and he should be great, but his control was a bit erratic overall. That said neither of the hits were that solid and he got 4 GO’s which I thought was the best sign from his outing.

by hybrid on Mar 9, 2026 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Personally I would keep him down for two weeks and get the 7th year.

I honestly believe he could pay for his Super-2 contract this year with gate sales. He’s getting absolutely huge publicity. I just don’t feel like the minors will teach him anything. He’s got stuff to learn, but it’s how to adjust to major league hitters, not how to pitch.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Mar 9, 2026 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

When it comes to a pitcher, I say start him as early as you can… many, many pitchers have a short shelf-life and why waste it in the minor leagues, especially with a guy who can draw fans in droves to a stadium that desperately needs it.

I would handle Heyward differently, even though I think he’s most likely ready now. But he’s a hitter and has a much better chance of being healthy and productive in 7 years than Strasburg does.

by jc3 on Mar 9, 2026 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

bobby cox

it is bobby’s last year. i think he will want the player that could end up up being the clubs best hitter in the lineup.

by svigen on Mar 10, 2026 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather make sure 100% he is as ready as he can be before tossing him into the spot light. He has amazing stuff, but that doesn’t mean he won’t need to transition from a poor conference in college to the majors. I’ll play it safe when a kid of easily the face of the franchise, Heyward at least has other people to take the pressure off. Just my personal philosophy of sorts I guess, though I think he would manage enough with less time … but I’d see more of an adjustment period.

by hybrid on Mar 9, 2026 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+0.5

It does hurt one thing to keep him in the minors; ticket sales.

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift

by King Billy Royal on Mar 9, 2026 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Doesn’t make sense to rush him for a team that won’t compete

R.I.P Jazz #6

by was385 on Mar 9, 2026 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Only good things will come out of him staying down on the farm for the first couple months. Let him grow like a somewhat normal prospect, even if he’s not one. The Nats surely aren’t going anywhere this year, so why start his clock early?

The wind is in the buffalo.

by journeymen on Mar 10, 2026 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In other news

Hellickson - 4 batters faced, 4 strikeouts.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Mar 9, 2026 4:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who? Is he Strasburg's evil twin or something?

by guru4u on Mar 9, 2026 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cod dayum.

I hope I don’t have to wait ’till September to watch him in tha bigz.

Or maybe I could see a Hellboy vs. Casey Kelly showdown in Pawtucket over the summer.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Mar 9, 2026 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he's in the minors til June

If nothing more than to stall service time.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 9, 2026 4:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Service time really isn't all that relevant.

If they call him up in Mid-April or Mid-June, they’d still have him under team control until 2016, the only thing calling him up in June delays is his arbitration. If he’s called up in mid-April, he’d be a Super-2.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Mar 9, 2026 6:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Avoiding Super 2 Status should be a priority for Washington

I expect them to be better, but they’re not playing for anything this year.

by jar75 on Mar 9, 2026 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There not exactly a small market team though.

And if they feel he can gain more developmentally by being in the show than in the minors, super-2 shouldn’t be a huge deal. Plus, there is the theory that he’ll pay for his super-2 raise just by increasing attendance and marketing.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Mar 9, 2026 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

He’s under a 5 year contract anyway. If he stays in the bigs, only his last season won’t already be paid for.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Mar 10, 2026 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Unless I'm just misremembering

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Mar 10, 2026 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Never mind, I see the error of my ways

Because he’s down for 2 weeks, they’d get him for 7 years, not 6. However, I’m not sure the difference between 60% and 80% for his year 5 season won’t be made up in additional ticket sales this year.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Mar 10, 2026 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Prospect Smackdown idea

Chapman vs Ynoa vs Strasburg

I’d be interested in thoughts on each. Obviously all 3 are on different progression paths at the moment. But if all reach it, their upsides are huge.

by MagicMike23 on Mar 9, 2026 5:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

what is the most recent news on Ynoa? I have not seen anything, did he pitch this winter?

by FRANCHISEv2 on Mar 9, 2026 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I read arrives in minor league camp this week

by MagicMike23 on Mar 9, 2026 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m looking forward to John’s post about what he’d do with Chapman/Strasburg.

www.oriolesprospects.com | twitter @orioleprospects

by ravensfan3 on Mar 9, 2026 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I’m looking forward to John’s post about what he’d do with Chapman/Strasburg.

www.oriolesprospects.com | twitter @orioleprospects

by ravensfan3 on Mar 9, 2026 8:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Ynoa is a myth

Much like the Sasquatch or Loch Ness Monster.

Until I see definitive proof that he exists, he doesn’t belong in the same conversation as Chapsburg.

by samjjones on Mar 11, 2026 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hellickson

Any thoughts on when he gets into the rotation?

Waiting for the first "snow game" in Minnesota.....

by bodyiq on Mar 9, 2026 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

first strained elbow

For in depth fantasy analysis be sure to visit the Hawk Fantasy Sports site @ www.HawkBall.com

by PHGold09 on Mar 9, 2026 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No earlier than the all-star break

Unless he just continues to blow guys away now and Sonnanstine struggles early in the year. Sonnanstine is the injured starter insurance though.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Mar 10, 2026 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Stras

I’m sorry my prediction on him is that is bombs this year. I really think he is overhyped…I don’t quite get why everyone thinks he is going to do so well this year. Maybe its just me… I’ve never had a good feeling about Stras.

by kershaw_equals_stud on Mar 9, 2026 11:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It probably is just you, especially if all you are basing it on is a 'feeling'

by DeJay on Mar 10, 2026 7:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right

Judging from your name, maybe you equate good feelings with 30 pitch innings and 100+ pitches through 5 IP.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 10, 2026 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

3.08 FIP at 21 years-old.

Sorry that Kershaw’s a stud, and you’re flipping burgers at Wendy’s.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Mar 10, 2026 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kershaw's super-power is magical homerun prevention.

by PissedMick on Mar 11, 2026 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

“I don’t quite get why everyone thinks he is going to do so well this year.”

seriously? it’s not that hard to figure out why.

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Mar 10, 2026 12:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

fail

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Mar 10, 2026 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just wanted to say that

That way when he does suck I will find this comment and the replies and post a big “I TOLD YOU SO” post…. Actually now one of you will probably do the exact same to me if he kicks ass:-)

by kershaw_equals_stud on Mar 10, 2026 9:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

you're basically admitting that the whole point of your statement is to be an attention whore

by jibs on Mar 10, 2026 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know...

this kind of against-the-grain type predictions are far more useful if there were some rationale behind it.

For instance, when people on this board predicted Delmon Young’s struggles, there was plenty of evidence and reasoned debate. Or like when I defend Bumgarner, and others attack him as a prospect, there’s a rationale and reasons for both sides.

Is there some reason why you think he’d struggle? The description of his stuff in his first outing was just as advertised, as was the reports from the AFL. Or are you just predicting he’ll do poorly because everyone else is predicting greatness?

Poster formerly known as artie

by beastball on Mar 10, 2026 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Against the Grain Predictions

Though KES pales in comparison to the Project Prospect doofuses in that regard. If you believe them, Strasburg should reseve time on the operating table in 2012. Or sooner.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Mar 10, 2026 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They rated him the #4 overall prospect in the game

And the top pitcher overall. They think he will be dominate when healthy, but he’ll struggle handling full season workloads and eventually succumb to arm problems that will keep him from being an ace that eats innings later in his career. They have gone through their reasoning why they think he is more susceptible to injury and they’re making a prediction and going out on a limb in doing so. Its unfair to judge them before we see how their methodology for predicting pitcher injuries works out.

by nixa37 on Mar 10, 2026 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs