Best Version Of Himself
Baseball America|November 2019
A decade after being hailed as the best draft prospect ever, Stephen Strasburg has learned to put things in perspective
Kyle Glaser
Best Version Of Himself

How does one live up to impossible expectations? When no matter how well you do, there is a sense you should have done even better.

That’s the challenge Stephen Strasburg has faced for a decade.

But 10 years since his anointment as the greatest draft prospect ever, Strasburg is at peace with the career he’s had.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that the expectations that people had for me from early on were a little insane,” Strasburg said. “And I think you just become more comfortable with yourself, more comfortable with the results, and you set yourself to your own standards. Those are always going to be more important than what others think you should be doing.”

It’s been 10 years since the Nationals drafted Strasburg first overall in 2009 out of San Diego State. He was supposed to be a perennial Cy Young Award contender, the ace of aces, a modern-day Tom Seaver or Roger Clemens.

Strasburg, now 31, has been none of those things. And yet, to label him a disappointment would not be quite correct, either.

As the 2010s come to a close, Strasburg has been one of the best pitchers of the decade. Among starters with at least 1,000 innings, he ranks among the top 10 with a 3.17 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and a .222 opponent average. He is a three-time all-star, owns a strikeout title in 2014 and led the National League in wins and innings this season.

Strasburg has been especially dominant when the stakes are highest, delivering a 1.34 ERA over 47 innings in his first eight postseason appearances.

This story is from the November 2019 edition of Baseball America.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2019 edition of Baseball America.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BASEBALL AMERICAView All
NOBODY'S PERFECT
Baseball America

NOBODY'S PERFECT

No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile

time-read
4 mins  |
March/April 2024
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Baseball America

ORGANIZATION REPORTS

At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March/April 2024
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
Baseball America

ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS

For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.

time-read
10 mins  |
March/April 2024
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
Baseball America

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS

No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.

time-read
5 mins  |
March/April 2024
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
Baseball America

NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM

The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors

time-read
6 mins  |
March/April 2024
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Baseball America

INTERNATIONAL TREASURES

Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever

time-read
10+ mins  |
March/April 2024
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Baseball America

HIGH-FLYING BIRDS

Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule

time-read
10+ mins  |
March/April 2024
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Baseball America

ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10

Early promotions of star prospects led to a bit of a down season for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2023
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Baseball America

FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10

Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2023
SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL
Baseball America

SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL

When Ethan Salas arrived in the California League on May 30, he immediately displayed talent well beyond his years.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2023