Strasburg: "Everybody wants to be that No. 1 guy"

VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg arrived at Space Coast Stadium on Thursday ready to prepare for his sixth season in the majors. It's hard to believe it's been almost five years since Strasburg made his sensational major league debut, fanning 14 Pirates all the way back in June of 2010. The 26-year-old Strasburg has usually been the hottest trending Nats topic dating back to his days at San Diego State when he was already pegged to be the savior for a franchise holding the No. 1 pick in the First-Year Player Draft.

As this spring training begins though, the spotlight has shifted to the newest National, Max Scherzer. A month ago, Scherzer inked a seven-year, $210 million dollar contract with the Nationals, the largest for a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball history. His resume includes the 2013 American League Cy Young Award and 10 postseason games started across eight playoff series.

Scherzer's addition to the rotation has led many to describe its potential as historically great. Usually, an ego accompanies most ultra-talented athletes. So expect a healthy competition for that recognition as the top dog in this blockbuster rotation.

"Everybody wants to be that No. 1 guy, everybody wants to be a leader," Strasburg said. "I think that's just the kind of guys we have in the clubhouse here. I'm not going to change how I go about my business, and I know everybody else is going to do the same, so I just have to do all I can to go out there and win as many games as I can."

Make no mistake though, Strasburg is thrilled to have Scherzer's locker just a few down from his.

"It's great," Strasburg said. "Obviously, a great track record. Excited to learn as much as I can from him. I think it gives us more depth. We're already pretty good to begin with, but to add somebody like him just kind of puts us over the top. I think it's going to help everybody out, and hopefully we can do some big things this year."

Strasburg started was the opening day starter in 2014, the third time the Nats have called on him for that assignment. The right-hander finished the 2014 season with a 14-11 record and a 3.14 ERA. Strasburg reached career-highs in strikeouts (242), games started (34) and innings pitched (215). He tied Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto for the National League strikeout lead, while his innings total was fifth-best in the NL. The modest Strasburg was encouraged to pitch a full season especially with his 2010 Tommy John surgery now long gone in the rear view mirror.

"I was happy to get the innings under my belt last year," Strasburg said. "Hoping to just build off of that. From day one, I always wanted to come in here and be the same guy, good or bad, and be consistent out there on the field. So that's just going to be the goal again this year."

So we will wait to see if Strasburg gets the ball for a fourth opening day start. Or maybe it will be Scherzer. Or maybe Jordan Zimmermann.

Or ... you get my point. They're stacked.