Strasburg faces 11th-ranked team and strikes out 18

[RedsoxRockies]

And he looks like an elf from some fantasy movie

[gRYFYN1]

Weren't those same articles written about Tim Lincecum?

The study of pitching mechanics is still in it's infancy.

Well the aforementioned Drivelinemechanics.com likes Lincecum's (the artcile was written near the beginning of last year)

http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/20...-tim-lincecum/

but has major issues with Strasburg's, going so far to liken them to Prior. He seems to think anything beyond the 500-700 inning mark is question before some injury sets in.

[HoustonGM]

Well the aforementioned Drivelinemechanics.com likes Lincecum's (the artcile was written near the beginning of last year)

http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/20...-tim-lincecum/

but has major issues with Strasburg's, going so far to liken them to Prior. He seems to think anything beyond the 500-700 inning mark is question before some injury sets in.

My point really was just that evaluation of mechanics regarding the likelihood of injury is a very, very inexact "science".

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

A quick google search turns this link

http://natsfarm.com/2009/01/15/thinking-out-loud/



Has there ever been a starter looked at who would be going in the top 5 with only one good pitch? (This is a real question)

I would guess there have probably more than a couple guys with blazing fastballs that went in the top 5 based solely on that fact, that's pure conjecture on my part though.

[gRYFYN1]

My point really was just that evaluation of mechanics regarding the likelihood of injury is a very, very inexact "science".

Agreed, pitching mechanics isn't and will never be an exact science. Afterall what will happen is really a medical issue. The best anyone can ever do is make comparisons to past examples.

[200tang]

Keith Law saw him the other day and said that he could pitch right now in the big leagues and is the best college prospect of the last 10 years.

And Law doesn't give out such high praise on a regular basis.

I saw that chat and I thought this was interesting

Law: I think that's a bit hyperbolic, but I do think Strasburg could pitch in the majors right now and would be Washington's #1 starter if they could sign him quickly and stick him in their rotation in June. I'm not saying they have to take another starter at #10, but they could have Strasburg, Zimmerman, and another polished college arm like Kyle Gibson in their 2010 rotation. Shore up the defense a little and they could be in line for a pretty significant improvement in W/L record in 2010-11 with that jump in run prevention.

That would be cool to see the Nationals with Strasburg, Zimmermann and another prospect hold up the rotation next year.

[RedsoxRockies]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns He threw 103 MPH!

[HoustonGM]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns He threw 103 MPH!

I'd be wary of that. Radar guns differ wildly.

Keith Law, for example:

Dan (Mesa): How accurate are these radar gun readings? Last I checked, Nolan Ryan still had the Guinness record for fastest pitch at 100.9 mph. It seems like if some of these guys were really throwing 101+ mph, they'd bring in the Guinness guys ... or did I just answer my own question?

Keith Law: I'm guessing Strasburg is more concerned with the industry's take than Guinness'. I have not personally gotten a 101 on my gun, ever; Lindstrom hit 100 twice for me at the 2006 Futures Game. If Strasburg hits 101, I'll let everyone know.

[ragecage]

this shows a 23 strikeout game he had.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pVyw2JlloM

It looks more like a curveball than a slider. I liked the one where he locked the hitter up on 3 straight curves. He looks like a man among boys out there in college.