Buster Olney adds to the raves about Stephen Strasburg.
So just how good is Stephen Strasburg, the San Diego State right-hander who is regarded as the No. 1 talent in this year’s draft?
“The best I’ve ever seen,” says a longtime scout. “And it’s not even close.”
C’mon. Better than Mark Prior? Remember how incredible he looked coming out of Southern Cal — tall, big legs, good mechanics, robot-like. You’re saying he’s better than what Prior was then?
“Easily,” says the scout, over the phone. “I’m telling you, it’s not even close.”
The superlatives just keep coming out for the clubhouse leader #1 draft pick. The article continues to detail that one scout believes Strasburg is better than Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett right now.
#1 by Sue Dinem - March 9th, 2009 at 09:01
What did you see in him? “The day that I saw him pitch, his first fastball was 99 mph, and he was at 100-102 mph the rest of the way,” says the scout, someone who is not inclined to hyperbole.
Really? A prospect that hasn’t faced major-league hitters would the #3 starter for a playoff contender immediately.
Makes me wonder who the scout works for.
#2 by Todd Boss - March 9th, 2009 at 09:28
Sue, if you had doubts about his capabilities, just look at his performance this past weekend. 18ks versus a top 10 college program is no mean feat. College uses aluminum bats and college pitchers routinely give up hits and home runs on balls that (were the players to be using wood) would be sawed off bats, weak grounders and easy fly balls.
I’ll bet if you asked the Yankees today if they’d rather have Burnett for 5yrs/$82.5M knowing that he routinely takes starts off and only really seems to perform in playoff years versus Strasbourg for a (guessing) $10m bonus but locked up for 3 yrs at $400-$500k plus 3arbitration years … you know what they’d take in a heartbeat.
#3 by Sue Dinem - March 9th, 2009 at 09:43
Apparently, my calling out the scout’s hyperbole — contrary to Olney’s allegation — was too subtle.
#4 by SlowPitch63 - March 9th, 2009 at 09:45
Got new posted. Wow! Seems like the pitching version of Joe Hardy. Of course I’ll sell my soul to get him, I’m not using it for anything now anyway.
Let’s play two!
#5 by VTBill - March 9th, 2009 at 10:20
This is starting to feel like the Sidd Finch story!
#6 by Ted Leavengood - March 9th, 2009 at 11:40
There is a link in the B. Olney story to the Nats best friend, Keith Law. Law said that the scouts discussion moved into a debate as to whether Strasburg was the best college pitcher ever, better than Neal Heaton, Bobby Witt, and Derek Tatsuno–University of Hawaii. The comparisons were interesting, especially Bobby Witt. But K. Law did not take a position except for the following: “For Strasburg to be mentioned as the best college pitcher since Tatsuno is, it turns out, like saying a big-league pitcher is the best since Walter Johnson.”
Now there is the ultimate comparison, to the best fastball pitcher ever, or one who clearly belongs in the discussion. Maybe Boras and Ted Lerner could interest Strasburg in the chance to be as good as Walter Johnson. They do teach baseball history in SDSU, don’t they?
#7 by dd - March 9th, 2009 at 14:22
History has not taught baseball drafts much!!!! At this point Strasburg is a great prospect, not Nolan Ryan!!! Definitely not a number 1 or 5 starting pitcher for a MLB team!
#8 by BinM - March 9th, 2009 at 16:59
Well, the Nationals are “on the clock” for the #1 pick. I think the courtship dance with Boras should begin at the end of Spring Training, and continue to draft day, as long as the kid stays healthy.
#9 by joNAThan - March 9th, 2009 at 19:16
BinM,
I hope the courtship began with the Texeira sweepstakes. I would like to think that the Nats efforts there showed Boras that they are serious about competing. I’m sure JimBo’s resignation can only help the relationship.
#10 by jca - March 10th, 2009 at 08:14
I’m beginning to think that Boras will ask for more than $10m.
Someone who knows MLB contracts - how many years can a 1 sport draftee be signed for in his initial contract? Could the team offer him 3 years, major league contract, with roster bonuses based on time on the 25 man roster? That way, he gets extra bucks over the MLB minumum if he gets to the roster quickly.
Also, who was the last starting pitcher to go straight to the majors from college? Bobby Witt? Mike Morgan and David Clyde were from high school, IIRC.
#11 by Brian Oliver - March 10th, 2009 at 08:36
I think > $10M is almost a given. My guess is the Nats open with roughly Buster Posey money (~$6.2M, non-major league deal) while Boras asks for above Prior money (five-year, $10.5 million major-league contract that included a $4 million signing bonus).
I think the major league deal and a spot on the 40-man is almost a foregone conclusion for Strasburg. Assuming they end up with a Prior-like deal, I could see a five-year major league contract at roughly $12-13M including a $6M signing bonus.
#12 by otf - March 10th, 2009 at 10:35
From what I see: The Nats have to, and will, take Strasburg. Risk exists, but nobody in the industry, it’s become clear, will have any respect for another decision. Within (the extreme limits of) reason, Boras can dictate his terms.
Do we think that Strasburg is still a #1 if he comes down with a worrying arm injury before this season is over? It sure would make a lot of people nervous.
#13 by Will - March 10th, 2009 at 18:24
Knowing Boras, whatever everyone’s maximum value of Strasburg is will be far from Boras’ minimum. These type of articles don’t help either. Who knows, maybe Boras will ask for Burnett-like money. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.