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June 8th 2010 will mark the beginning of the Stephen Strasburg era in Washington. The Nationals announced today that Strasburg will make his Major League debut on June 8th against the Pittsburg Pirates.

Strasburg, out of San Diego State, was the top pick in last June’s draft and received a four-year deal worth just north of $15.1 million. His contract was the most guaranteed money given to a player drafted since the Chicago Cubs drafted Mark Prior in 2001, who received $10.5 million in guaranteed money.

Strasburg’s arrival has been heavily anticipated since he has drafted last year. This season, Strasburg has compiled a 6-2 record with a 1.42 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple- A. He will make one final minor league start on Thursday and will pitch 6 innings or 95 pitches according to Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo.

Former Red Sox Curt Schilling said this about Strasburg.

"I've never seen anything like this. Never. Nothing close. Not at that age, that polished. If he comes up to the big leagues -- which he will in the next probably month, some period of time before the halfway point of the season -- he'll immediately potentially be the best pitcher in the game. He's that polished. ... He's got a pitcher's mind, because there's a lot of guys who get to the big leagues that throw 96 who never get people out. He's pitching smart, which is rare for a kid his age. He commands the baseball. At that level, that stuff, to command the baseball, I've never seen anything like it. I've seen a lot of guys throw 98 in Double A, and they never go any farther. This guy commands a 100 mile-an-hour fastball. And when I talk about velocity as a pitcher, I'm not talking about, 'Oh, once in the fifth inning he hits 100.' He'll touch triple digits first through ninth. And he's got that ace mentality, where I've seen him ramp up and throw a pitch five miles an hour harder than the pitch before it, in his last inning of work."

I hate to post a Schilling quote because he always has to give his opinion on everything but Schilling is right-- Strasburg has big time talent, stuff that can only be witness while playing MLB The Show.

Strasburg is like purchasing a vintage 1969 Dodge Charger. You can imagine yourself in the front seat, turning heads as you zoom by other cars. No other vehicle can compare. You have the pinnacle of control, power, speed, and luxury all rolled into one package. You dream about the possibilities (Nationals making a run at the NL Wild Card) of testing the vehicle (Strasburg) at the next level. Everyone is screaming (Fans and media) that the car can handle the jump because of the skill set it possesses (100+mph fastball, great curve, slider and changeup). You have put the vehicle on the open road and have taken it out for a few spins, witnessing what it is capable of (minor league dominance) and you can not help but to crave more (June 8th call up). But can the car handle the open road when the pedal is floored for a sustained period of time?

Strasburg is the present and the future of the Nationals. I just hope the Nationals have insurance in case their powerful vehicle runs out of gas a few years down the road like other prized cars have done (see Mark Prior). Strasburg has once in a generation talent. The Nationals must keep their expectations and temptations in line in order to preserve this beauty.