After giving up just two runs this spring training for the Washington Nationals, last year’s number one overall pick, Stephen Strasburg packed his bags, his Bible and is heading north.
Unfortunately, he’ll be passing up our nation’s capital and landing in Pennsylvania’s…but don’t let anyone tell you that this wasn’t about money.
Really? The guy has a Major League cannon for an arm, hits 100mph on the Jugs gun…yet this is “what’s best” for his development?!?
How about the fact that Harrisburg just recently dumped a ton of money into renovations at Metro Bank Park? What about the fact that that same ballpark is home to this year’s Eastern League All-Star Game?
And, oh yeah, if he stays in the Minors for the first two weeks of the season, Strasburg’s free agency and eventual departure from Washington gets pushed back a year. If he’s there for two months…his arbitration eligibility gets pushed back an extra season as well.
To me, it appears that Strasburg’s “development” coincides with a potential windfall organization-wide for the Nationals.
Let’s just hope that this slight speedbump doesn’t derail Strasburg…because just by being the first pick in the draft guarantees him instant success, right?
Wrong.
Would you be shocked to find out that since the draft started in 1965, there hasn’t been a single number one draft pick to make his way to The Hall of Fame?
Matter of fact, only four players that have been selected in the top ten of the respective draft classes have been enshrined…Reggie Jackson (drafted second overall in 1966), Robin Yount and Dave Winfield (selected with the third and fourth picks in the 1973) and Paul Molitor (taken third overall in 1977).
All in all, a pretty good foursome…but you’ve gotta admit, it is a little surprising.
And before you ask, yes, there appears to be at least three number ones that will be joining Jackson, Yount, Winfield and Molitor in Cooperstown in the upcoming years. Ken Griffey, Jr., Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez were all taken first in 1987, 1990 and 1993 respectively.
Lastly, tickets for the Harrisburg Senators home opener go on sale Saturday.
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