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Despite wowing fans and scouts alike in spring training, Stephen Strasburg is likely to begin his 2010 season in the minor leagues. At least, that's what Nats' GM Mike Rizzo told Sirus' MLB Homeplate today. There's not a final decision yet, but there is plenty of historical precedent to send the phenom to the minors for at least the beginning of the 2010 season. Cubs outfielder Xavier Nady was the last player to hop right to the big leagues, doing so very briefly in 2000 before heading back to the minor leagues until 2003. The last pitcher to make a similar jump was Ariel Prieto, the A's spectacular bust in 1995, who had defected from Cuba to Puerto Rico and thus into the big league draft.
Since being drafted by the Nats last June, Strasburg finished his college career with San Diego State, then held out until the August 15th signing deadline. That prevented him from pitching for any of the Nats' affiliates before the Arizona Fall League. Strasburg pitched well there, with 23 strikeouts and seven walks in 19 innings. He wasn't perfect, though, giving up three homers and a 4.26 ERA in those same 19 innings.
That's good, but it's clearly not definitive given his complete lack of minor league record. Starting Strasburg with the Nats risks rushing him and it starts his arbitration clock immediately for a season in which the Nats aren't expected to contend. Nationals' fans have plenty of reason to want to see Strasburg right now, but the team's front office has even more reason to send him down to the minors, at least for a little bit.
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