It wasn't even the last 15. All we had to do was get lose 2 of three in the last series of the season, and we'd have had the worst record. As it was, we decide to sweep Oakland to miss out by 1 game.
He has some of the nastiest stuff I've ever seen, and I'm not exaggerating. His curve hits shoulder high, and dies. Absolutely amazing. This kid is for real.
One of the commentators compared him to Kerry Wood, due to his four-seam fastball and curve. While his fastball and curve are similar to a young Woods', adding in a plus change-up, a wicked two-seam fastball and better command just puts him in a completely different class. The best pitchers I've ever seen were Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, with Randy Johnson just behind them (the first two I'd put in the top-five ever and all belong in the top-ten ever, IMO). Strasberg has a chance to be better than all of them, if he remains healthy. I've just never seen a pitcher without any weakness and four put-away pitches.
Some believe he's the greatest pitching prospect ever. He was drafted last year and reached the majors in under a year from when he signed, which is extremely unusual for a starting pitcher drafted at age 20.
FOR HCP: And tonight was his major league debut. One of the most anticipated debut's in recent memory. LeBron debut level to give you context.
Is this harper guy gonna be the real deal? He was the #1 pick right? Will he play this season in the majors?
Thanks for the help guys. As squared away in hoops as I am, I'm that lost in baseball. It's funny when I work Mariner games for the visiting team and these guys from around the league try to talk baseball with me......... CLUELESS!
No, the Nationals seem to be forecasting him to reach the majors in about three years. He's about three years younger than Strasburg and is not as major league ready. Also, he's apparently going to be converted from a catcher to an outfielder, which dims the excitement about him, for me, a bit. It may or may not be the right decision (not having him catch will reduce the wear and tear on him), but it also means that he likely won't that incredibly special player like Johnny Bench or Joe Mauer--a great hitting, great defensive catcher. If he can be a stud right fielder, though, the Nationals will still be in good shape.
This is how I feel about every soccer thread. The reason he has his own thread is because of all the hype surrounding his debut, given by ESPN and such.
I'm not so sure on Harper. Though it'll take longer to bring him along, he might end up being more valuable than Strasburg. An everyday player (a good one, anyways) will always be more valuable than a pitcher, but you knew that.
Usually, but not always. An everyday player plays in more games, but impacts each game much, much less than a starting pitcher impacts the games he pitches in. If Strasburg ends up one of the several greatest pitchers ever and Harper is merely an excellent right fielder, Strasburg will likely be the more valuable player from a career standpoint (assuming health, of course). If Harper were remaining at catcher, I'd like his chances of ending up more valuable than Strasburg better. Almost no corner outfielders of the past 20-30 years had a more valuable career than Greg Maddux or Roger Clemens. If Harper has to be Barry Bonds to be more valuable, the odds are slim.
Meh, if Harper ends up at the same level as say, Torii Hunter, he'd still be more valuable than Strasburg imo.
