*** The Real Deal ***

[42]

We'll be hearing a lot about this guy from here on out, that's of course if he doesn't throw his arm off!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-strasburg032409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[Scottdau]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

Every fat kid is going to go out and lose wait and start pitching. Yeah this kids has an electric arm.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

His mechanics are supposed to be horrendous, if everything I've heard about his mechanics are true then I'd be shocked if his arm isn't toast by 25.

I hope he makes it though, sounds like he'd be awesome to watch against big league competition.

Edit: I'll add I've never watched him play other than the short video linked in the article and I'm no scout so I don't know about his mechanics but from talking to friends who follow the top prospects in each years draft closely that's what I've been told.

[Brandon13]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

Some unnamed scout in a Buster Olney article said his mechanics were fine, I think. So who knows.

[42]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

His mechanics are supposed to be horrendous, if everything I've heard about his mechanics are true then I'd be shocked if his arm isn't toast by 25.

I hope he makes it though, sounds like he'd be awesome to watch against big league competition.

Edit: I'll add I've never watched him play other than the short video linked in the article and I'm no scout so I don't know about his mechanics but from talking to friends who follow the top prospects in each years draft closely that's what I've been told.

I'm no expert but he looks pretty good here... in relation to his mechanics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VRx8-h53vw

[Sandman42]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

Keith Law had a write-up on him yesterday and he didn't have any worries about his mechanics. His only worry was that he gained so much in velocity over a short period of time (2 years ago he was at 87-89) that it could lead to arm issues. Similar to what happened to Joel Zumaya, who saw a big jump in his velocity.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

Keith Law had a write-up on him yesterday and he didn't have any worries about his mechanics. His only worry was that he gained so much in velocity over a short period of time (2 years ago he was at 87-89) that it could lead to arm issues. Similar to what happened to Joel Zumaya, who saw a big jump in his velocity.

Yeah I read an article a while back though where a scout said he was very similar to Mark Prior in terms of mechanics.

If thats the case then perhaps he can be dominant as long as whatever team that drafts him doesn't run him into the ground like Dusty Baker did with Prior.

[tyler289]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

As a Nats fan, I've been following this guy as much as possible over the last 4-5 months. He's absolutely dominant. Everything I've read says that he has perfect control, throws 100 mph, has a wicked slider, developing changeup, and solid mechanics. No red flags, except that the jump in velocity could be a factor. But they may work with him to take a little off the 100 mph and make it 93-95 with movement. Not to mention that he's humble and a freakin GENIUS (he's going to graduate with a 4.0 in 3.5 years).

The Nats WILL take him (if they pass on him, the team will be a joke) and will sign him, to probably a huge deal. He'll be on the team in September. I just hope, for the team's sake, that he's as good as advertised. I'm really excited for our future...it's exciting. Our top pitching prospect is looking electric and Strasburg will be one of, if not the best, prospect in the league.

[Scottdau]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

If he gets a changeup then it would be light outs!

[Scottdau]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

As a Nats fan, I've been following this guy as much as possible over the last 4-5 months. He's absolutely dominant. Everything I've read says that he has perfect control, throws 100 mph, has a wicked slider, developing changeup, and solid mechanics. No red flags, except that the jump in velocity could be a factor. But they may work with him to take a little off the 100 mph and make it 93-95 with movement. Not to mention that he's humble and a freakin GENIUS (he's going to graduate with a 4.0 in 3.5 years).

The Nats WILL take him (if they pass on him, the team will be a joke) and will sign him, to probably a huge deal. He'll be on the team in September. I just hope, for the team's sake, that he's as good as advertised. I'm really excited for our future...it's exciting. Our top pitching prospect is looking electric and Strasburg will be one of, if not the best, prospect in the league.

That is still a big gamble. You sign him to a big contract and he throws out his arm. That is not good. He is a starter and in college they don't throw as many innings as they do on the pros. I still would sign him, but it is a gamble.

[tyler289]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

That is still a big gamble. You sign him to a big contract and he throws out his arm. That is not good. He is a starter and in college they don't throw as many innings as they do on the pros. I still would sign him, but it is a gamble.

Every big contract given out is a gamble. CC's contract is a gamble, Tex's contract is a gamble, etc.

I don't think he'll get the money that was "leaked" but I think he'll get a big deal. I'm not really concerned about the bonus, as long as the deal gets done. MLB's slot system is a joke anyways. Boras/Strasburg have all the leverage in the world because of Aaron Crow's ridiculous demands last season and our inability to sign him, so I think it will be a big contract, but considering how good he's been called ("better than every FA pitcher this year except CC"), I don't really care how big it is.

[twiztiddarkangelman]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

He can throw a ball through a brick wall, blah, blah, blah. Can't miss, etc, etc. How many guys have they put this tag on? He has tools for sure. But most mlb hitters won't be swinging at those pitches he was striking out those 23 college hitters with. And from the looks of a lot of his FB's they were pretty straight.

[wwharton]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

Honestly, how many have they put those tags on? Griffey? He's had a pretty good career. ARod? Price... so far so good. Schilling? Upton? It seems to me that with baseball most of the players they go nuts over turn out pretty good. I hear you with basketball and football though.

[tyler289]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

He can throw a ball through a brick wall, blah, blah, blah. Can't miss, etc, etc. How many guys have they put this tag on? He has tools for sure. But most mlb hitters won't be swinging at those pitches he was striking out those 23 college hitters with. And from the looks of a lot of his FB's they were pretty straight.

How many prospects have had the following said about them:

"He would've been the second-best pitcher in free agency this year, after Sabathia, and yes, ahead of Burnett."

[bkrich83]

Re: *** The Real Deal ***

Honestly, how many have they put those tags on? Griffey? He's had a pretty good career. ARod? Price... so far so good. Schilling? Upton? It seems to me that with baseball most of the players they go nuts over turn out pretty good. I hear you with basketball and football though.

I've seen the kid live. He's legit in every sense of the word.