CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Nationals Sign Top Pick Strasburg to Record Deal

Published on August 18, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


WOODBRIDGE, Va- What once seemed like a sheer impossibility to Washington Nationals fans, and perhaps to even the team president Stan Kasten, has become a reality for fans of the baseball club from the Beltway. With just minutes to spare before the signing deadline for first-year draftees, number one overall pick Stephen Strasburg inked his name on the dotted line, officially becoming a member of the Washington Nationals organization.

The exact terms of the deal were not disclosed to the public but the reported figures were rumored to be of the record-setting variety of four-years, $15 million.

The once-in-a-generation stud starter from San Diego State University was drafted first overall by the Nationals in this past June's draft, but his signability became a concern for the Nationals when Strasburg hired super-agent Scott Boras to represent him in contract talks. Negotiations went down to the midnight deadline on Monday, August 17, but with just 77 seconds before the Nationals would have lost the right to sign Strasburg, both sides agreed to the contract.

The 20-year-old right-hander with the fastball that has been clocked as high as 102 mph went 13-1 with the Aztecs in 2009, compiling a 1.32 earned run average while earning the Golden Spikes Award as the top collegiate baseball player in the country. Even more impressive is his unbelievable strikeout/walk ratio of 195/19, compiled in just 109 innings.

The Nationals were fortunate enough to draft two players, both pitchers, within the top 10 picks of this draft, also electing Stanford closer Drew Storen with the number 10 overall pick. Storen signed immediately and reported to Low-A Hagerstown on June 18 and was promoted to Potomac on July 20. In seven games with the P-Nats, Storen excelled going 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA while striking out 11 in 10 innings pitched. He was then called up to Double-A Harrisburg where he has currently owns a 0.00 ERA and three saves for the Senators in three appearances.

The signing of Strasburg could mean great things for the Potomac Nationals franchise should the Nationals elect to start Strasburg in the Carolina League. No decision has been made yet as to whether or not the Nationals will begin Strasburg's career in the Minor League ranks, but the Washington organization is confident that Strasburg could make an immediate impact on the Major League rotation should they choose to take that path with their prized right-hander.

With only three weeks left to play in the 2009 regular season, it could be difficult to get Strasburg's arm up to game-speed considering the last time he pitched in a baseball game was all the way back on May 30 in a College World Series regional contest.

Keep checking back to www.potomacnationals.com for more updates on Strasburg and where he could possibly end up before the 2009 season plays out.

Should Strasburg sit out the rest of the season to begin his pro career at the beginning of 2010, it is a definite possibility that the flamethrower could begin his career with the Potomac Nationals. In addition to being just three short stops from the Major Leagues, Potomac's proximity to the big league club in Washington could serve as an attractive option for the Nationals' brass.

There has been some precedent for high-profile draftees who wait until the last minute to sign their first pro contract. In 2008, number two overall pick Pedro Alvarez signed his contract within seconds of the signing deadline, but the Pittsburgh Pirates elected to have him sit out the rest of the 2008 season. Beginning in 2009, the Pirates top prospect began his professional career with the Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats, hitting .247 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI in 66 games as the Hillcats took home the first-half title in the Northern Division.

Alvarez was promoted at the All-Star break and has taken off in Double-A Altoona hitting .339 with nine home runs and 29 RBI in 46 games with the Curve.

The P-Nats begin a four-game series with the first-place Winston-Salem Dash on Tuesday evening starting with a doubleheader at 6 ET. You can catch all the action live on www.potomacnationals.com with Dan McGinn and Anthony Masterson starting with the pregame show at 5:40 ET.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and all things P-Nats, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from August 18, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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