Strasburg No-Hits Norfolk (for Six Innings)

The legend of Stephen Strasburg continues to grow. The 2009 first overall draft pick pitched six no-hit innings during his second career triple-A start on May 12. He was lifted after the sixth inning and replaced by fellow ’09 No. 1 draft pick Drew Storen, who promptly gave up a hit to the third batter he faced.

Strasburg breezed through the Baltimore Orioles’ triple-A lineup, which was laden with minor league vets like Michael Aubrey, Joey Gathright, and Robert Andino. It even included a few true prospects in Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder.

The reason for Strasburg’s success on this night was clear. Simply, he threw strikes. Fifty-five of his 80 pitches were for strikes. With the strict pitch count, he did a nice job of getting through six innings despite striking out seven batters (and walking one). His stuff looked very good. Every batter was behind the right-hander’s mid-to-high 90s heater. He also had a good 12-6 breaking ball that caught a lot of batters looking at strikes.

On this night, though, his change-up may have been his best pitch. Speed-wise, it came in around 88 mph, which many MLB pitchers would consider to be the average velocity on their fastballs. The off-speed pitch had crazy, late fade that was utterly unhittable at times, as it dropped off just as the hitter swung at the pitch.

Strasburg’s combined season numbers between double-A and triple-A are outstanding. In 34.0 innings, the former San Diego State star has allowed just 14 hits and eight walks in 34.0 innings. He’s also racked up 40 strikeouts and has an excellent ground-ball rate, which has helped him keep the ball in the yard. Strasburg has yet to give up a hit to a right-handed batter in triple-A and left-handed batters are hitting less than .100 against him on the year (more than 50 batters faced).

The Washington Nationals club currently sits in second place in the National League East division. The Philadelphia Phillies club looks strong but the rest of the division is definitely vulnerable; a National League wild card spot is also not out of the question. The Nationals organization obviously doesn’t want to risk it’s future by playing for 2010, but it’s not absolutely crazy to think that the club could sneak into the playoffs (OK, maybe it’s a little crazy).

Pitching has been a weak spot for the club, as it ranks last, or near last, in strikeout rate, batting average allowed, WHIP, and xFIP. When we look at the starting rotation, we see that Jason Marquis has been lost for at least two months due to surgery, John Lannan has been terrible and Craig Stammen has been walking a tight rope. The club’s best starter, Livan Hernandez, has been doing cartwheels down the tight rope. The pitcher I have the most faith in right now is Scott Olsen, and that scares me just saying it.

If the Washington Nationals club continues to hover near the top of the National League East, the organization will have a huge dilemma on its hands as it weighs present gain versus future value. If Strasburg keeps pitching like he has been, though, it’s hard to envision him in the minor leagues a month from now.