The following information and footage was gathered during Strasburg's May 1st, 2009 start against Santa Clara. While we've offered up some basic information, this is your chance to scout Stephen Strasburg! Let our Video and Photo forum be your medium to express your scouting thoughts. We'll listen and maybe even publish quality observations.
Important Notes:
We were present for Strasburg's first inning but did not get set up in time to film it. Though we recorded from down the third base line during the second inning, we were behind home plate for the remainder of the game.
The Basics:
Fastball: We didn't see the 100+ MPH fastball that people have been spreading rumors about this spring. Strasburg's fastball sat at 95-97 and touched 98 a handful of times.
Curveball: This pitch sits around 79-81 and has a ton of movement. Strasburg consistently got swing-throughs with his curveball this outing.
Changeup: Strasburg hardly needed his changeup against Santa Clara. But he did throw it a few times -- it sits in the high-80s.
Box Score Breakdown:
8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K, 0 HR, 1 HBP (29 TBF)
A mediocre contact team (15.1% K) that doesn't hit for power (.122 IsoP) or walk much (7.4%), Santa Clara entered the weekend at 186th in NCAA.com's RPI rankings. In other words, Strasburg wasn't facing an elite Division-I lineup in this outing.
Overall Observations:
We'll post our overall observations in our Video and Photo forum.