Creating Steven Strasburg

[jnotrizzle]

So I'm creating him in my bid to save the Nationals.

What do you guys think his potential/current ratings should be on a 1-100 scale, and what pitches does the guy even have, I can't seem to find it??

[POKeefe]

Yeah, I wish before the game was created they would have the Draft Class of the year in it. Like for OOTP10, the 2009 draft class would be the real one, not filled with fictional players.

[koolkerns101]

Here is his ESPN scouting report with scouting ratings on his pitches.

Fastball: 80/80 (94-100 mph)
Curveball: 70/70 (81-84 mph)
Changeup: 55/60 (82-83 mph)
Control: 50/55
FB Movement: 55/55

I guess you could test it using 20-80, then change it over to 1-100.

[satchel]

Originally Posted by koolkerns101

Fastball: 80/80 (94-100 mph)
Curveball: 70/70 (81-84 mph)
Changeup: 55/60 (82-83 mph)
Control: 50/55
FB Movement: 55/55

Someone is going WAY overboard with these numbers. This kid isn't Cy Young quite yet.

[POKeefe]

Originally Posted by satchel

Someone is going WAY overboard with these numbers. This kid isn't Cy Young quite yet.

I would say those should be potential numbers. His real numbers currently are probably a bit under that.

[satchel]

Originally Posted by POKeefe

I would say those should be potential numbers. His real numbers currently are probably a bit under that.

I thought the ESPN numbers listed were actual/potential. I suppose they're ranges?

[POKeefe]

Originally Posted by satchel

I thought the ESPN numbers listed were actual/potential. I suppose they're ranges?

They probably are. I was pointing out that it probably doesn't account for mental makeup or other factors that come into pitching.

[Cryomaniac]

Originally Posted by satchel

This kid isn't Cy Young quite yet.

Emphasis on yet!

[Mully]

The real question is what his ratings will be after his inevitable Tommy John surgery.

[Raidergoo]

Let's look at history:

Player
Tim Beckham
David Price
Luke Hochevar
Justin Upton
Matthew Bush
Delmon Young
Bryan Bullington
Joe Mauer
Adrian Gonzalez
Josh Hamilton
Pat Burrell
Matt Anderson
Kris Benson
Darin Erstad
Paul Wilson
Alex Rodriguez
Phil Nevin
Brien Taylor
Chipper Jones
Ben McDonald
Andy Benes
Ken Griffey
Jeff King
B.J. Surhoff
Shawn Abner
Tim Belcher
Shawon Dunston
Mike Moore
Darryl Strawberry
Al Chambers
Bob Horner
Harold Baines
Floyd Bannister
Danny Goodwin
Bill Almon
David Clyde
Dave Roberts
Danny Goodwin
Mike Ivie
Jeff Burroughs
Tim Foli
Ron Blomberg
Steve Chilcott
Rick Monday


David Price is starting to make a splash in Tampa. He had a nice post-season last year. Luke Hochevar is in his third season of suck. Justin Upton may become a legend. Most 19 year olds never get a chance to stink at the ML level, but he did. Now that he is 21, he is looking good. Delmon Young is a slap hitter who runs like Bill Buckner and makes contact like Pete Incaviglia. Bryan Bullington is a waste. Joe Mauer is building a case for Cooperstown. Adrian Gonzalez is an established star, and maybe starting a case for Cooperstown.

Josh Hamilton...what could have been? He is now a ML star, though his resume is slender. He had a nice Home Run Hitting contest once. Pat Burrell is a flawed .257 hitting slugger going downhill. Matt Anderson is a bust. I liked the bust of Kris Benson's wife. Darin Erstad had a nice season once, but when you look at his career and his numbers, you wonder just a bit. What was that 2000 season all about? Was he lucky? Was he doping? Was that true talent? He never did anything like it before or after. Paul Wilson got ate up by injury, physically and mentally. He was never an impact player. Alex Rodriguez is the definition of impact player. He's worth a billion dollars. Phil Nevin had a decent career, but never had a home on the field or in an organization. Again, I wonder if he was using PEDS at some point, as he got oddly better at 28.

Brien Taylor? Epic bust. Chipper Jones? Stellar. Ben McDonald? Good while his rotator cuff lasted. Andy Benes had a fine career. Ken Griffey Jr ended up on MLB's All Time Team before he was 30.

I could go back to 1965. Most players made it to the majors. In that group, most were good, occasionally winning a trip to the All Star Game. One of them once led their team to the World Series once.

In 44 picks, you have 3 Hall of Famers, with 3 more building a resume for Cooperstown. You also have 10 complete busts. Of those 44 players, I think there are just 10 studs.

That's a hell of a success rate.

Based on history, I predict in seven seasons we will say "Steven who?". Less likely, baseball fans will say "Steven" in hushed tones and even my mom will know who you are talking about.

[Cryomaniac]

I actually hope he lives up to the hype and more. Mostly people want overhyped players to fail. I don't.

[actionjackson]

Let's not go polishing up the HOF plaque for Mr. Strasburg just yet. Unless Luke Hochevar or David Price beat him to the HOF, nobody else in the first overall in the draft pitchers will. Aside from Hochevar and Price who we still need more MLB data from, the list is well...ho-hum. David Clyde, Floyd Bannister, Mike Moore, Tim Belcher, Andy Benes (RIP), Ben McDonald, Brien Taylor (not one MLB pitch), Paul Wilson, Kris Benson, Matt Anderson, and Bryan Bullington. Yecch! There are some good innings eaters in there, but no lock-down, get on my back boys, we're going to the promised land aces. So, let's give the lad a chance to fall flat on his face and get back up and fall flat on his face again before we start thinking about where he belongs in the pantheon. Does the fact that none of these guys will see Cooperstown except as visitors mean Strasburg can't be great? Absolutely not. But let's not hand out the keys to Cooperstown yet.

EDIT: Raidergoo beat me to it.

[Cryomaniac]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Let's not go polishing up the HOF plaque for Mr. Strasburg just yet. Unless Luke Hochevar or David Price beat him to the HOF, nobody else in the first overall in the draft pitchers will. Aside from Hochevar and Price who we still need more MLB data from, the list is well...ho-hum. David Clyde, Floyd Bannister, Mike Moore, Tim Belcher, Andy Benes (RIP), Ben McDonald, Brien Taylor (not one MLB pitch), Paul Wilson, Kris Benson, Matt Anderson, and Bryan Bullington. Yecch! There are some good innings eaters in there, but no lock-down, get on my back boys, we're going to the promised land aces. So, let's give the lad a chance to fall flat on his face and get back up and fall flat on his face again before we start thinking about where he belongs in the pantheon. Does the fact that none of these guys will see Cooperstown except as visitors mean Strasburg can't be great? Absolutely not. But let's not hand out the keys to Cooperstown yet.

EDIT: Raidergoo beat me to it.

I agree 100%, but I would love it if he is as dominant in the majors as he was in college.

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Andy Benes (RIP)

Did I miss when Andy Benes died?

[daveawrit]

Originally Posted by Cryomaniac

I agree 100%, but I would love it if he is as dominant in the majors as he was in college.

I second this... although I am a Red Sox fan, there is nothing in the world of sports that I love more than watching a dominant pitcher. I have never had the opportunity to see young Strasburg pitch, but from all the hype he seems like a guy I would like to keep an eye on, at the very least.

I tend to schedule my sports time around pitchers I like to watch, currently that list includes Jon Lester, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels (that changeup is so pretty), and Peavy and Sheets when healthy are absolute studs. Oswalt was close for a while, and I watch Beckett every chance I get but he is so inconsistent, and, strangely enough, Mariano Rivera is probably the only other person on that list for me.

I would be more than happy to have another to add to this list (David Price could definitely be next), especially since there are really so few out there.

[BigRed75]

Originally Posted by fantom1979

Did I miss when Andy Benes died?

He didn't die, just his career.

[Mikecouil]

Maybe I overlooked it but I didn't see Mark Prior anywhere on the list. Also, wasn't Kerry Wood drafted pretty high in the first? Both of these guys were super stars that were ruined by the organization. I contend that had the Twins drafted Prior over Mauer (which they would have done if the cost wouldn't have been prohibitive) Prior would be among the top 3 pitchers in all of baseball.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by fantom1979

Did I miss when Andy Benes died?

Dagnab it! Confused him with Darryl Kile. Both RHP, both finished their careers in 2002 with the Cardinals. Benes is still alive, but Kile unfortunately died of a heart attack on June 22, 2002. Note to self: check facts better next time. Thankyou.

[Mikecouil]

Both had very similar careers too. Easy mistake to make.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by daveawrit

I second this... although I am a Red Sox fan, there is nothing in the world of sports that I love more than watching a dominant pitcher. I have never had the opportunity to see young Strasburg pitch, but from all the hype he seems like a guy I would like to keep an eye on, at the very least.

I tend to schedule my sports time around pitchers I like to watch, currently that list includes Jon Lester, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels (that changeup is so pretty), and Peavy and Sheets when healthy are absolute studs. Oswalt was close for a while, and I watch Beckett every chance I get but he is so inconsistent, and, strangely enough, Mariano Rivera is probably the only other person on that list for me.

I would be more than happy to have another to add to this list (David Price could definitely be next), especially since there are really so few out there.

Ahem! I know we're north of the border and everything and we're quiet, unassuming, peaceful folks, except when some hockey fans crash a baseball game and get all drunk on $10 beers and start throwing crap at Red Sox or Yankees fans...But, Roy Halladay is flat out awesome and I think Johan Santana is even better. I'd rate Santana and Halladay 1) and 2) in MLB these days. All the other guys you mentioned are fabulous and I particularly love watching Greinke. Watching him, reminds me of any predator toying with its prey, because I dunno, maybe they get bored with the quick kill, and they just decide to mess with the prey animal's head. Sometimes that approach can get him into trouble, but when he's on, it's fascinating to watch and see what he's going to do next.

Loved Beckett when he KO'd the Yanks in '03, but I've pretty much hated him ever since. This is from a Jays fan who loved Pedro at his best in the late '90's, early '00's with the Sox. I don't think Beckett will get past his inconsistency until he grows up a little bit. He is every journalist's dream (and You Tube chroniclers for that matter) because he absolutely says what's on his mind. He's also incredibly intimidating, but the great ones know when to dial down the intensity a bit. Intensity and intimidation are great, but they're not the only ingredients for successful big league pitching. They're vital ingredients, but so is a calmer, more unruffled, mature, methodical, surgical etc approach.