Stephen Strasburg, Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals, #37

Date of Birth: 7/20/1988
Birthplace: San Diego, California
College: San Diego State University
Nickname: Stras

Stephen Strasburg, starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals, was an outstanding player in high school and college. He pitched in the 2008 Olympics, helping the US team win a bronze medal. He was selected by the Nationals as the number one pick in the 2009 draft. In August, 2009, he signed a four-year, $15.1 million contract with the Nationals.

Strasburg played in the Nationals' minor league system in 2010 and 2011, finishing with an 8-3 record and a 1.90 ERA. He joined the Nationals for 12 games in 2010 and 5 games in 2011. His 2011 season was ended when he went on the DL and then had Tommy John surgery.

In 2012, Strasburg pitched 159.1 innings in 28 games. He finished the season with a 15-6 record, 197 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a 3.16 ERA. He won a Silver Slugger award for batting .277 with 13 hits and 4 doubles. In 2013, he had an 8-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.

Strasburg finished the 2014 season with a 14-11 record, a career high 242 strikeouts to 43 walks, and a 3.14 ERA in 215.0 innings in 34 games. In the postseason, he pitched 5.0 innings in one game and he gave up 8 hits and 2 runs.

Strasburg pitched in 23 games with the Nationals in 2015. He finished the season with an 11-7 record, 155 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.46 ERA in 127.1 innings.

Strasburg signed a seven-year, $175 million contract extension with the Nationals on May 9, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 3.60 ERA, 15 wins to 4 losses, and 183 strikeouts to 44 walks in 147.2 innings in 24 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Strasburg had a strong 2017 season, finishing with a 2.52 ERA in 28 games. He had 15 wins and 4 losses and 204 strikeouts to 47 walks in 175.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 14.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 6 hits and 2 runs. In Game 1 of the NLDS, he had a no hitter through five innings. He pitched 7.0 innings and gave up 3 hits and 2 runs to give the Nationals a 3-0 loss. He struck out 10 batters and walked just one. He got the win for the Nationals in Game 4, pitching 7.0 innings and giving up just 3 hits. He struck out 12 batters and walked 2.

Strasburg spent time on the DL in 2018, limiting his playing time to 22 games. He finished the season with 10 wins and 7 losses, 156 strikeouts to 38 walks, and a 3.74 ERA in 130.0 innings.

Strasburg had a strong season in 2019, finishing with 18 wins and 6 losses, 251 strikeouts to 56 walks, and a 3.32 ERA in 209.0 innings in 33 games. He led the NL in wins and in innings pitched. He also pitched well in the postseason, and he was named the World Series MVP. In 6 games, he pitched 36.1 innings and he gave up 30 hits, 4 home runs, and 8 earned runs. He struck out 47 batters and walked just 4. He had 5 wins and no losses and a 1.98 ERA.

Strasburg became a free agent on November 2, 2019. He signed a new seven-year, $245 million contract with the Nationals on December 9th. He spent most of the shortened 2020 season on the IL, pitching just 5.0 innings in 2 games with the Nationals.

Strasburg again spent most of the season on the IL in 2021 with right shoulder inflammation and neck strain. He pitched just 21.2 innings in 5 games with the Nationals and he had an ERA of 4.57.

Career pitching statistics for Strasburg through 2021 include:

• 246 games played
• 1,465.1 innings pitched
• 113-61 win-loss record
• 1,718 strikeouts to 392 walks
• 3.21 ERA

Personal Life

Strasburg and his wife Rachel were married on January 9, 2010.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Stephen Strasburg
ESPN - Stephen Strasburg