Strasburg's outing - updated with scouts' reactions
Twenty-seven pitches. Fifteen strikes. No runs. Two hits. Two K's.
Okay, he didn't strike everyone out. He changed speeds pretty well. Showed he could fall behind in the count and still win the battle against a pretty good hitting club.
Strasburg kept the ball down pretty effectively; I suppose when you can throw that hard you don't concern yourself that much with the wind. His delivery didn't seem quite as violent as it looked at SDSU. His pace was decent as well; didn't rush himself, nor did he dawdle.
Speaking with a couple of scouts who watched the game from behind home plate, the reaction was about what you'd expect.
"His velocity was as advertised...he threw his fastball at 97-98 comsistently, 94 a couple of times...he showed me a little deception which I hadn't seen before...his breaking ball was good, but not lights out...his command was okay, he was able to locate his pitches when he had to...he was agressive...he had a good role model to watch in (Detroit starter Rick)Porcello, who really knows how to pitch...he's the best they've [Washington] got that I've seen this spring...great poise and presence for a kid just out of college."
One scout was slightly upbeat about 23-year-old lefty Aaron Thompson, who pitched 2 more scoreless innings, giving him 4 for the exhibition campaign. "I don't know much about him other than he was a high pick as a high schooler by Florida. He was at 88-90 today, with an 82-84 slider. He got 'em out, which is what you look for. Back of the rotation type at best, but he's got some ability." Thompson was the return on the Nick Johnson trade last July.
You can play against everyone or create your own league - and it's Free!
 |
Categories (click for archive)Phil Wood |
Hey Phil, it's me, Pat from Bowie!
I like the way Riggleman is working his squad. Wins are nice, but seeing his squad, giving these guys a chance to break through is the only way he can pick up a gem. The main stay players seem to have a confidence, like they and Riggleman are on the same page. This will be that turn the corner season. What caused me to drop you a line is reading what you wrote the scout said about Aaron Thompson. He looked sharp, and a good return on Nick Johnson. Johnson looks like he is going to make the Yankees as a designated hitter, which should be right up his alley! You know, they say that everything works out for the best.
Keep up the good work,
Pat from Bowie
I think the lack of "violence" you mention was what struck me as well. I had expected, based on the buildup, to see a lot of built up energy in his motion.
Strasburg threw, dare I say it, easily.
A couple more outings like this, along with a couple more less than stellar ones by the competition, and Strasburg should get his ticket punched at least for Syracuse if not DC.
Phil
I thought SS looked excellent. I was impressed with his poise as much as his stuff. The dilema is that management is going to have to rush him due to the terrible performance of the rest of the staff. I am trying to be positive....no, trying not to be negative, but i think we have the makings of another cobbled together, underachieving staff. If we go through Marquis, Lannan , Olsen and the Bullpen again, with similar results (.396 average against), FO needs to react.
Maybe March isnt the time to panic, but if they start the season double digits below .500, it will be. Sub-10K crowds in April are a real possibilty.