Stephen Strasburg

Stephen James Strasburg (born July 20, 1988 in San Diego, California) is an American baseball player. He is a pitcher for the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played baseball in college at San Diego State University. While playing at San Diego State, Strasburg threw a no hitter against the Air Force Academy. The Nationals drafted him with the first pick in the 2009 MLB Draft. Strasburg signed a contract to play for the Nationals for four years while being paid more than 15 million dollars. After signing his contract, Strasburg began pitching in the minor leagues. Most people did not expect Strasburg to stay in the minor leagues for very long, though. Strasburg played very well in the minor leagues. His earned run average (ERA) for the Syracuse Chiefs, which was the final minor league team he played for, was only 1.08.

Stephen Strasburg
Washington Nationals – No. 37
Starting pitcher
Born: (1988-07-20) July 20, 1988 San Diego, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
June 8, 2010, for the Washington Nationals
Career statistics (through July 16, 2010)
Win-loss	4-2
Earned run average	2.03
WHIP	1.03
Strikeouts	68
Teams
Washington Nationals (2010–present)

Major League Baseball career

Strasburg pitching in his first Major League Baseball game

Strasburg played his first game in Major League Baseball on June 8, 2010. The game had sold out just a few hours after the Nationals said that Strasburg would play on that day. He was the Nationals' starting pitcher in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Strasburg pitched for 7 innings, striking out 14 Pirates batters, giving up 2 runs, and only allowing 4 hits. The Nationals won the game by a score of 5-2.