Strasburg's first game against big league bats

[B O'Brien]

I know this isn't a baseball talk page, but are you all watching this kid pitch? He is nasty! I have not watched him toss before, but what a debut! 11K's so far. One night does not make a career, but it has been fun to watch.

Nice work by the young kid on his opening night.

Bob

[geor952]

I am amazed at how well he is getting outs when he is behind in the count. Very impressive. He is calm and has a great confidence on the mound. Should be a fun career for us to witness.

[ChiefBenderForever]

His super refractory will be BIN for 50k before the clock strikes 12.

[barrysloate]

Looks like he will get the win too. I've watched some of it and he looks terrific. His fastball is awesome. Good for him. I hope he's a big star.

[barrysloate]

Through 7 innings: 14 strikeouts, including seven strikeouts in a row...in his major league debut. Are you kidding me?

[calvindog]

He's unreal. 98 MPH in the seventh inning. Wicked curve, fastball with movement. He's better than advertised it would seem.

[Abravefan11]

That was an impressive first start in the majors.

[FUBAR]

sounds impressive..... its not on tv here but hopefully i will catch the hilights

[Robextend]

Absolutely filthy stuff...he stays healthy the sky is the limit.

Also want to add that I love the Costas/Kaat team. Wish I saw more games with them broadcasting together.

[FUBAR]

too late to add a shiny at a reasonable price...

[Matt]

Is it possible for his superfractor to actually go up in value from the $16k it ended at? Wasn't $16k already assuming he was in the HOF?

[packs]

Ridiculous start. Struck out every starter at least once. Good piece of hitting on that home run though.

[henson1855]

Wait until the Bryce Harper cards hit the market , should go for equally insane prices.

[fkw]

The 7 in a row came right after he gave up the HR on a changeup.
He may be able to turn it up a notch.

Most SO in debut since JR Richards had 15



I was actually rooting for him to get bombed on the first outing, not in career, but just the first few outings.

Wanted to see some of the shinny prospector collectors squirm

oh well

[Tom Hufford]

Kinda makes you forget all about Bumpus Jones, doesn't it?

[yanks12025]

Are the pirates considered big league hitters.

[mark evans]

I was at tonight's game although you all had far better views (right-field bleachers). I don't know if apparent on the tube, but the stadium rocked. The crowd frequently stood upon two strikes, cheering and clapping and chanting Strasburg's name.

I need to get my ticket signed and sell it to the guy who bought the shiny insert card on eBay.

[Rickyy]

He threw some nasty stuff... His fast ball not just has the late giddy up..but also lots of movement..and a very sharp curve. Most amazed was that he had no walks.

[prewarsports]

Great Pitcher and a Great debut.

He will not do this every night, nobody has ever faced him before and the league will catch up to him. Pitchers generally do better in their debuts than on average for this reason BUT, he looks like the real deal.

[Orioles1954]

As an Orioles fan, I am completely jealous. While the Nat's have so much to look forward too, the franchise I love is completely, totally and utterly done.

[tesitzes24]

One start does not a career make....but that was pretty sick. I'm rooting for him. I want to see him live up to the hype.

[ErikV]

He may have had a good debut, but c'mon folks he's pitching
against a sub-par Pittsburgh Pirates team. Let's not jump to
conclusions. Let's wait and see how he performs a real Major
league team.

ErikV

[chris6net]

I hope he is as good as advertised. They compare him to to David Clyde. I remember when Fernando Valuenza pitched at Shea on a Friday night in his rookie year and they sold out despite the Mets being terrible. I also remember Dwight Gooden in 1984-1986 and the attendance spike when he pitched. I hope he is the real deal. CN

[sbfinley]

DVR'd the game and just watched it. It may have been Pitt, but Wow.

[kcohen]

I went to the game and as Mark said, the place was rocking. He seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He probably relaxed and hit a better rhythm, getting behind on fewer hitters. I noticed one fastball hit 100mph, with it consistently at 97 or 98. Most impressive to me is the way he totally locked up several batters with his curve. That said, nothing is the least conclusive with a young pitcher until he's been around the circuit once and is pitching to teams after they've faced him once.

[tbob]

I can not believe all the hype. Yes he had a great first game against a bottom feeding Pirates team. Yes he threw exceptionally well, but let's not put him in the Hall of Fame just yet. I remember another shining star who in his major league debut wowed everyone and he went on to start in the All-Star game his rookie year and win 19 games that season. Mark Fidyrich.
Let's wait a while and see what happens. This IS good for baseball in general, though.

[calvindog]

Bob, I agree that Strasburg isn't an HOF lock yet but the point is that the incredible expectations were not just met but were exceeded last night. Yes, Fidrych had a great rookie year (and a great first start) on the way to a second place Cy Young finish; however, there were no expectations at all for him when he made that start. Strasburg's first start may have come with it the most lofty expectations EVER for a first Major League start.

Edited to add: Nevertheless, the lineup he faced last night was really a great Triple A team. Other than McCutcheon, the rest of the team is horrible.

[Bilko G]

That was an amazing debut for the youngster last night and even more amazing is what all his cards are going for today on ebay

[whycough]

I wish him health. The Nats better treat him like the jewel he looks like. Can't wait 'til the Red Sox sign him as a free agent.

[dstraate]

Only 350 more W's until that superfractor is worth what was paid

[Peter_Spaeth]

It was a great start, of course, but there are so many factors -- physical, mental, luck -- that go into a great pitching career that it is just woefully premature to say anything else. Dwight Gooden was unbelievably dominating at age 20 and even as a 19 year old rookie, for example.

[WillBBC]

Originally Posted by kcohen

I went to the game and as Mark said, the place was rocking. He seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He probably relaxed and hit a better rhythm, getting behind on fewer hitters. I noticed one fastball hit 100mph, with it consistently at 97 or 98. Most impressive to me is the way he totally locked up several batters with his curve. That said, nothing is the least conclusive with a young pitcher until he's been around the circuit once and is pitching to teams after they've faced him once.

What he said. The stadium was the loudest/most lively it's ever been. I couldn't believe how packed the standing room sections were. They had people up on the parking deck beyond the left field wall. It was unreal. Can't wait to check out his next home start.

[Abravefan11]

His next appearance will be on David Letterman tonight delivering the Top 10.