Stephen Strasburg: A Timeline
After reading dozens of scouting reports, articles, memoirs, and blog posts about the "One" Stephen Strasburg, hyperbole seems to be standard operating procedure. Phrases such as "Greatest prospect ever" or "Best arm of all time" are used with regularity. The comparisons are even more impressive. It has been said that he has the control of Pedro, the speed of Ryan, and the intelligence of Maddux. "Is he clutch?", you ask. Clutch? One article invented the word clutchiness to describe how clutch he was. And according to some reports, his fastball was clocked at 103-miles an hour. Just look at this impressive montage of strikeouts during a game against Utah. It's easy to get excited about a potential game-changing player, but scouts and writers must have short memories. Once a year it seems there is some prospect who is more myth than man. And more often than not, said prospect barely sniffs AA ball. With the Nationals winning the least amount of games last season, they have been saddled with the first pick in the draft. Here's how I see that going for them:
June 9th, 2009: With the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft, the Washington Nationals select Stephen Strasburg out of San Diego State University
June 12th, 2009: Negotiation begins. Scott Boras (Strasburg's agent of course), asks for a record 7 years, $58 million. Nationals hesitate, request to sleep on it.
June 14th, 2009: With the Nationals in last place and desperately in need of an identity, they cave and sign Strasburg to 7 years, $59.5 million.
June 21st, 2009: Strasburg is immediately sent to Washington's Single-A affiliate, Potomac Nationals.
July 4th, 2009: After striking out 14 batters in 10 innings in two starts, he skips AA and is sent to the Syracuse Chiefs, the Nationals AAA affiliate. He makes six starts, gives up 3 runs and strikes out 22 in 25 innings.
August 18th, 2009: With a 43-79 record and attendance steadily dipping, the Nationals decide to bring up Strasburg as a reliever at home against the Rockies.
August 18th 2009 (9:23ET): Nationals take the lead in the bottom half the seventh on a three run homerun by Ryan Zimmerman. Washington leads 6-3. As the top of the eighth begins, Stephen Strasburg trots out of the bullpen for his first major league appearance. The crowd of 26,324 rise to their feet and cheer.
9:29ET: His warm-up pitches are a little shaky as expected. But after each pitch, he looks decidedly more comfortable. Then Todd Helton steps to the plate. Strasburg winds-up and fires, strike one! The gun reads 98-miles an hour. The crowd erupts. The next pitch is a slider that breaks off the table and Helton swings right over it, strike two! The crowds grows louder as he winds up again, strike three! A 99-mile an hour fastball at Helton's eyes.
9:33ET: Strasburg proceeds to get the next batter out on three similar pitches and the stadium is buzzing. Brad Hawpe enters the batters box. Strasburg goes through his wind-up and deals, ball one! Way outside. In fact, it misses the catcher completely and rolls to the backstop. Oh no! Strasburg is grabbing his elbow. Manager Manny Acta and the trainer rush out to the mound. Strasburg is wincing in pain and they are forced to take him out. The silence is deafening.
February 23rd, 2011: Stephen Strasburg arrives at Washington Nationals spring training after a year and a half rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Still only 22, there is plenty of time for him to return to his old form. However, he his 30 pounds over weight and has only soft-tossed since August of 2009. Running poles are tough for him as he runs out of breath easily. Given the fact that he already has signed an extensive and expensive contract, he has lost all his competitive fire. He spends money on lavish and unnecessary things. He is rude to fans and reporters and has alienated the entire Washington Nationals fan base.
July 31st, 2011: After posting a pedestrian 4.83 ERA out of the bullpen for the Nationals, Strasburg is traded for cash to the Milwaukee Brewers as Washington decides to eat most of the contract. Bitter about the trade, Stephen half-heartedly complains about a twinge in his other elbow. And after getting several opinions from "reputable" doctors, Strasburg gets another Tommy John surgery.
April 24th, 2013: The Brewers designate Strasburg for assignment and suddenly he is out of work. No one wants to deal with him because of his attitude and injury plagued past. So he signs a contract with the Long Island Ducks and works part time as a floor manager at Target. He marries a local girl and has nine kids. Their names all starting with "S".
Who knows? Maybe I'll be wrong.
Ryan Zimmerman extends hitting streak to 30 games
I was debating as to how long the hitting streak had to be before I made a post on it. I settled on 30 and here we are. Ryan Zimmerman, third basemen for the Washington Nationals, has hit successfully in thirty consecutive games. The streak is the four longest streak in the majors since 2000, matching 30-game streaks by Moises Alou (2007), Willy Taveras (2006), and Albert Pujols (2003).
Hitting streaks are interesting records. It has been long aruged that Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak will never be broken. That the record rivals Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive games played streak (2,632) in terms of difficulty. The closest any player has come to breaking the record was Pete Rose in 1978 when he hit in 44 consecutive games.
Playing for a team as dreadful as the Nationals must be beneficial for Zimmerman. With sizable leads, opposing pitchers won't be afraid to groove fastballs into him with regularity. The Nationals better hope Zimmerman keeps this up. Otherwise, the only thing they have to look forward to are Adam Dunn's 900-foot homeruns and Elijah Dukes' impending court hearings.
Headlines
"Headlines" is just an excuse to NOT write a post of any substance
Yankees defeat Athletics 5-3 (Homer link)
Five games into their first home stand and the Yankees finally had a night game in the new Yankee Stadium. And I have to admit, it looks nicer at night, as do most parks. Thankfully, only one homerun was hit, off the bat of Johnny Damon. It was immediately attributed to the wind, which every homerun to right will be. Every night is an event in my house when the Yankees win. Maybe it's because when the last out is recorded, I do a dance to this song:
Derrick Rose wins Rookie of the Year
In other news, water is wet. This season Rose averaged 16.8 ppg and 6.3 apg. He was the clear cut winner and looks to be a future all-star in the NBA. After watching the first two games of the Bulls series against the Celtics, I realized what all the hoopla was about. He's quick, intense, talented, and a leader. Hopefully he can carry Chicago far in these playoffs and beyond.
Company apologizes for Natinals Error
During a game last week, Washington Nationals' players Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman sported jerseys reading "Natinals" on the front (see below). The company, Majestic Athletic, who manfactures the jerseys are apologizing for the unfortunate incident. Still hilarious. O is important letter. Good thing that don't make Oriole jerseys.
MLB Attendance: A Study
Ever since the economy took a turn for the worse back in September and October, I have been wondering what sort of effect it would have on attendance in the four major sports (Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Bull Riding). And only two weeks into the 2009 MLB Season, we've seen significant drops in attendance, especially in the two new stadiums, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. There's no denying it. Watch a home Met or Yankee game this season, you'll see empty seats by and around home plate. You know, the sections that would normally seat people who rely on updates of the game on their BlackBerries even though they are so close, they could smell A-rod's perfume. Unless the prices of those seats drop, they will collect dust until September. The situation will only get worse during the proverbial "dog-days" of summer, when teams begin to drop out of playoff contention and people decide to use their limited disposable income on more important things. Like a Vin Diesal movie.
Far be it for me to actually conduct a legitimate statistical analysis of attendance in Major League Baseball. If that were the case, I wouldn't begin two weeks into the season and do it based solely on boredom. That being said, I will track the attendance of every game in the MLB this season and by using the math I learned in the seventh grade, average them (or find the "mean". Thanks Mrs. Quinn!).
I decided to do this right after I watched the Marlins play the Pirates in Pittsburgh this evening. I understand that the game was being threatened by rain, games in April are practically meaningless, and the Pirates are perennial losers, but that doesn't excuse the fact that there was only 8,790 fans who went through the turnstiles. Maybe the hard-working, redblooded Americans in Pittsburgh were taking an overtly literal boycott of pirates after the events in Somalia, but I highly doubt it. This situation is going to get worse before it gets better. Lets track it, shall we?
Florida Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates (PNC Park)
Attendance: 8,790
Cincinnati Reds at Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park)
Attendance: 23,308
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park)
Attendance: 37,865
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals (Nationals Park)
Attendance: 12,473
Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field)
Attendance: 25,788
Average: 21,664
My Super Duper Crazy Long 2009 Baseball Season Preview Part 1 (Japanese Syntax)
Okay, right now it is April 1st, 2009 and according to my Verizon Fios television guide, there will be no baseball games today. Really? Is this some elaborate April Fool's Day joke? Who's bright idea was this? Apparently, because of the World Baseball "Classic" (literally using air quotes), the season openers will be pushed back until April 6th. Nice. Now I have five more days to watch more NBA and NHL games which are largely meaningless right now because half of the leagues get in the playoffs. Not to mention that some pregnant women's gestation period's last shorter than the playoffs in the NBA or NHL. So to amuse myself until then, I will be elbow deep in baseball previews, stats, fantasy projections, and player profiles. Here's my take on those loveable 16 teams that make up the National League:
San Diego Padres
If you're a Padres fan and would like to lose sleep for the next few nights, take a look at their Opening Day lineup. It truly is the stuff of nightmares. Although Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff will provide some respectability to San Diego's offense, the other seven positions barely have a pulse. Names like Jody Gerut, Chase Headley, Nick Hundley, and Luis Rodriguez are ones that exactly strike the fear of God into opposing pitchers. Attention David Eckstein Fans: He will now be manning second base for the Padres in 2009. Finally, his position will match his arm. In terms of the rotation, there is a chance of success only if health isn't an issue. San Diego had a tough time dealing Jake Peavy to a proper suitor in the offseason, but since a deal even now is not out of the question, he will play well in an attempt to catch the eye of some teams. And with bullpen staple Trevor Hoffman now on the Brewers, Heath Bell and his 1.21 WHIP will be closing games (if it ever gets to that point) for the Padres. Wins: 65
Colorado Rockies
If every team has a weakness, the Colorado Rockies' weakness is starting pitching. Their "ace" Aaron Cook posted a 16-9 record with a 3.96 ERA and an average 1.34 WHIP in 2009. A player who could essentially decide the fate of this team based solely on his performance is Ubaldo Jimenez. Usually when talking heads use the word "stuff" when describing a pitcher's repetoire, I tune off immediately. However, when discussing Ubaldo Jimenez, the only word is "stuff". In 2008, he posted the highest average fastball among major league starters at 94.9 MPH. He throws a two-seam fastball, slider, change-up, and curveball all with terrific movement. The problem is, as with most young talent is control. So pay attention to Wednesday, April 8th when he makes his first start of the season. If he is to perform well this season, I really like the Rockies to be competitive again in the NL West. With an offense that is bringing back Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe, Garrett Atkins, and rising stud catcher Chris Iannetta, they'll be able to stay in every game (especially at home). Let's not forget the addition of Huston Street to their bullpen who wil fill the gap left by Brian Fuentes. Wins: 80
San Francisco Giants
Two reasons I like the Giants to be competitive in 2009: Their starting pitching and the fact that Bengie Molina drove in 95 runs last year. I can not believe it! You learn something new every day. This season, every single one of Molina's runs batted in will be paramount to San Francisco's offense. Today, I tried arguing for a salary cap in baseball. I made statements like, "It would increase the parity of the game and provide a more level playing field for the fans to enjoy". Then I look at the Giants projected Opening Day lineup and think, "No it wouldn't". Some teams still will make AWFUL decisions and give terrible contracts to bad or unworthy players. Aaron Rowand, Edgar Renteria, and Barry Zito all make perfect examples. And what do you know? They all play for the Giants! But putting that aside, San Francisco still has the reigning NL Cy Young Award Winner (Tim Lincecum), a Hall of Fame veteran (Randy Johnson), a potential stud pitcher (Matt Cain, and cough Barry Zito. Don't count them out. Wins: 81
Arizona Diamondbacks
I am saying (or typing) it right now: the 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks will win the NL West. Whether it be the lineup, the rotation, or the bullpen, they are stacked with potential and bonafide talent. Remember how last year when Arizona traded for Dan Haren and everyone thought they would have the best pitching staff in the national league?Well this year they will be even better. You can pencil in Webb and Haren in for at least 15 wins a piece. And with the acquisition of Jon Garland and Max Scherzer having a full year under his belt, there are only two words: Look. Out. In my opinion, their pitching success is a foregone conclusion. It's their offense that has me a little worried. At every position they have a young, potential all star. It's about time that it all came together. Although the entire lineup is prone to the strikeout (1,287 times in 2008, 2nd most in the majors), when they do make contact, the result is runs on the board. And in case you were wondering, the answer is yes, there is a Tribute to Augie Ojeda on YouTube. Wins: 92
Los Angeles Dodgers
Did you hear? Manny Ramirez is on the Dodgers. I know, I know. Crazy. But interestingly enough, there are 24 other players on Los Angeles. They are rarely spoken about, but they do exist. Players like Russell Martin, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal are all rather talented and could possibly lead the Dodgers to a National League Pennent. Something they couldn't do in 2008. But, such is the recipe in the majors, pitching wins championships. And the Dodgers are not exactly stacked with pitching. My belief is, in order for Los Angeles to get over the hump this season, Clayton Kershaw needs to reach ceiling that scouts claim he has. Of course, all Dodger-success could be rendered moot when Manny decides that he wants to play for another team mid-season. But you know, that's just Manny being Manny. Wins: 89
Pittsburgh Pirates
I could easily put "Insert last 15 Pirates season projections" right here, but I won't. Because this year, they might actually have a chance to improve on last season's 67 wins. Amidst the signings of two Indian pitchers who won a game show and baby stealing wives of prospects, the Pirates may have just put together a halfway decent 25-man roster. Ever since they hired a new manager (John Russell) and general manager (Neal Huntington), the focus has been towards the future of the franchise. Although that has been said before (see: 1994-2008), this season could begin to show the Pirates patience with their young talent. 22-year old Andrew McCutchen has been dubbed "the next great 5-tool talent" and will see significant playing time in the majors by mid-season. Pittsburgh is too great of a sports town (See: Steelers, Penguins) to have a professional franchise constantly set up camp at the bottom of the National League Central Division. Hopefully, fingers crossed, the Pirates begin making strides towards regaining the glory that a 120-year old franchise deserves. Wins: 72
Houston Astros
The Astros of 2009 are too much of an enigma to sum up in one paragraph. Do they have talent? Yes (See: Roy Oswalt, Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman). Are they young? Yes (See: Michael Bourn, Hunter Pence). Do they have veterans? Yes (See: Pudge Rodriguez, Darin Erstad, Miguel Tejada). The 2009 Astros at times this season will look like the best team in the division. Those times will be when Oswalt is on the mound and Michael Bourn is stealing 2nd, 3rd, and home. Other times, Houston will show their gaping holes and depleted farm system. That side will rear it's ugly head more times that not this season and thusly, Houston will end up towards the bottom of the Central. Look for Oswalt to be dealt around trade deadline time. For your troubles, here's a video of Hunter Pence signing bats. Wins: 79
Cincinnati Reds
In case you were wondering who Chris Dickerson is, here is a video of the rookie outfielder for the Reds going through his spring training apartment. Two interesting facts about Dickerson: He is an advocate for "Green" living and he is cousins with Hall of Fame NFL running back, Eric Dickerson. Anyway, about the Reds. It all comes down to how Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez pitch down the stretch. They have both shown to have All-Star talent, but both pitchers faded during the second half of the season. Although this doesn't seem to be the Reds season to break out, expect significant strides from their young position players (i.e. Chris Dickerson, Jay Bruce). Right now, Cincinnati looks very much like the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. A team loaded with potential that only needs the right chemistry to make a playoff run. Though, in my opinion, that will be next season. Wins: 77
St. Louis Cardinals
Remember when this used to be Rick Ankiel? The young, impressionable pitcher who flat out forgot how to pitch. Look at him now. For the 2009 season, he will called upon to hit at least 25 homeruns and drive in 80 runs while at the same time, throwing strikes from the outfield to third base. This may sound very "Rick Reilly" but, it's funny how life works out. I feel like I am underrating the offense of St. Louis for this upcoming season. Other than Pujols, the names don't necessarily jump out at you, but the numbers are there. Last season, Ryan Ludwick had 37 homeruns and 113 RBIs (Nearly the same amount as Mr. Albert). I believe one of the most overlooked moves of the offseason is St. Louis' acquisition of Khalil Greene. Once upon a time (2004), Greene won the NL Rookie of the Year Award for the Padres. In a more potent lineup such as the Cardinals', Greene could rekindle some of that offensive productivity. Whatever the offense provides this season, the catalyst for St. Louis will be Chris Carpenter coming off an elbow injury. Wins: 87
Milwaukee Brewers
My suggestion to anyone who bets on baseball games (They do exist): Always take the over when dealing with the Brewers. Why? They. Hit. Home. Runs. In the 2008 season, five Brewers hit 20 or more homeruns. And that's not including Rickie Weeks and Bill Hall who have the capability. But, like the rest of the National League, pitching is not their strong point. After CC Sabathia followed the money to New York, the Brewers were left with a rotation of Jeff Suppan, Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Braden Looper, and Dave Bush. World beaters, they are not. Consider the 2009 Milwaukee Brewers as any Texas Rangers team in the late 90s. Offensively talented with limited pitching depth that will inevitably burn out in the division series come October. Wins: 85
Chicago Cubs
Not much to say here. Almost nothing has changed since they were humiliated by the Dodgers in the NLDS. The only difference is that Kerry Wood is now with the Indians and Kevin Gregg will take over as closer. Maybe the addition of Milton Bradley will take them further in the playoffs. But let's be honest, never have those words been said in succession. We all know that the Cubs have terrific talent in all facets of the game. They hit for power, run the bases well, have stellar pitching and can close games. It just boils down to October. It's as if the entire Cubs organization comes down with the Arod disorder when the calendar hits October 1st. I don't feel bad for their fans though, they always seem to be having a great time at the games. Wins: 96
Washington Nationals
Last season, there was a little buzz surrounding the Nationals because of the opening of their new stadium. But that is where the buzz ended. Since their first season in the MLB, Washington has yet to compete for a division crown let alone a wildcard spot. And it seems that this season will bring more of the same. Even with the signing of Adam Dunn, Washington's offense will struggle to score runs. I tried searching for video on their "ace" John Lannan and this is all I got. Much like the Reds or the Pirates, the Nationals are designed to win at the earliest, 2011. Wins: 68
Florida Marlins
After reading Sports Illustrated's assessment of the 2009 Florida Marlins, they have deducted that their main weakness is defense. I'm not saying that they're wrong, but all I am saying is that defense won't be the reason the Marlins don't make the playoffs. It will be their bullpen. Compounded with Matt Lindstrom's injury from the World Baseball Classic will be his 1.45 WHIP. He may have had a solid second half (1.07 WHIP), but who's to say he won't regress back to walking a high number of batters and rendering a high batting average in balls put in play. Other than that, I really like their offense. Look for a breakout year from Cameron Maybin. Wins: 80
Atlanta Braves
If Atlanta believes that Tom Glavine will give them ANYTHING this season, they have totally lost everything that made them successful from 1991-2005. I understand that Glavine provided a lot of good times for the franchise, but naming him the 5th starter will be a huge mistake. He will be overmatched in every game he starts this season. Other than Tommy Boy, the rest of the Braves rotation is fairly sound. Derek Lowe may have been overpaid, but he will give them everything he has. He's durable, effective, and eats innings. He's the perfect pitcher to lead that staff. Javier Vasquez, who is constantly underwhelming, will definitely improve on a terrible 2008 season. The key to the Braves offense is the Jeff Francoeur, who also had an abysmal 2008 season. Another overlooked free agent signing: Garret Anderson. Wins: 86
Philadelphia Phillies
Like the Cubs, the Phillies are not much different from last season. Only a few changes. Pat Burrell: Out. Raul Ibanez: In. So it's easy to say that the Phillies will win the division. But there are a few things to consider. If you remember, Brad Lidge turned into Mariano Rivera for the entire 2008 season and did not blow a save all season. By the end of the season and into the playoffs, Philadelphia had an unhittable bullpen. It's unrealistic to think the same will happen in 2009. Also, let's not forget Matt Stairs. The man who enjoys celebrations a little too much. I guess it's a Canadian thing. Wins: 93
New York Mets
If this isn't the Mets year, then they will never have a year. Every aspect of their game has been examined, analyzed, and remedied in the off season. Offense: Taken care of. Bullpen: Taken care of. Starting Pitching: Almost there. If the Mets are to win the World Series (as Sports Illustrated predicts they will), John Maine and Mike Pelfrey both need to avoid injury and keep hitters off the base paths. Unlike 2007 and 2008, I see no collapse come September for the Mets. With the signings of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J, Putz, a late lead in the season won't be choked away. And if it is, the Mets organization better keep hold of the insurance policy on Citi Field. Wins: 95
Look for my preview for the American League tomorrow...or whenever.
- I need to start writing again. I don't know why I stopped. It's tough, fun and therapeutic.
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- My crotch is starting to itch. THAT MUST MEAN "JERSEY SHORE" IS COMING BACK!
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