Every so often in the world of sports we are graced with a talent that is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. The Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and the Alexander Ovechkins of the world are a few names that pop into my mind. I think we should all get ready to add another name into the list of all time sports greats, with newly minted MLB pitcher, Stephen Strasburg. After being picked number 1 overall by the Nationals last year Strasburg started his career with the Syracuse Sky Chiefs, where he would post a 1.80 ERA and .80 WHIP in nine starts. During his time spent playing at the AAA level many commented that he already looked like the greatest pitcher in the game, and it was just a matter of time before we were all believers. After watching his first major league start on June 8th at a sold out Nationals home game against the Pirates I think its safe to say that everyone is now a believer. You could comment on the fact that he gave up two runs, or that he walked no one, or about how he struck out 14 batters! That is second most all time for a rookie starter, and I think he is well on his way to writing his name in every single record book that the MLB has to offer.

So how good is this guy really? Well I for one am not the guy in the batters box with the chore of having to hit off of him, so I guess I will never really know. In reality however the simple fact that both former and current pros (including those who faced him last night) essentially consider him the second coming is pretty damn impressive. Now in baseball I believe that one players impact is the smallest of any sport (basketball being the largest). Lebron will immediately make his new team better and im not sure whether or not you can say that about strasburg. However what you can be assured is that every time he takes the mound your team is in the greatest possible position to win, and many will drop their jaws when he looses, but rest assured that it will happen. That being said, when you look at the nationals from a franchise point of view, and the pick in Bryce Harper that they just made I think they are well on their way to becoming a solid baseball team. So long as they win some games and are in championship contention before strasburg’s contract is up im sure he will stay for the long haul and help them win games.

If I had a gun to my head and had to make a prediction as to how he will fare throughout the duration of his MLB years, I think your looking at a top five pitcher of all time at least, and it would not surprise me if he goes down as number one all time.

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