By Don Leypoldt

Does the world need another Stephen Strasburg article?

Put him into google and you get over 4 million hits.  We know he was the Greatest Prospect Ever in Baseball History…(for one year and then Washington National teammate Bryce Harper became the Greatest Prospect Ever in Baseball History.) 

We not only know Strasburg’s story: we know his mechanics.  We know that “W” in his delivery and why that is/is not a problem.  We know how many innings he threw in 2012 and why, when he was shockingly shut down in the middle of the Nationals’ playoff run, it was/was not the right thing to do.

Strasburg may be one of the five most recognizable names in baseball.  He has made more news by NOT playing- such as when he had Tommy John just twelve starts into a potentially brilliant career and the aforementioned shutting down- then when most players do play.

So why do we need another Stephen Strasburg article?

Because once upon a time in San Diego, there was a college freshman named Steve Strasburg.  Steve Strasburg was not a perennial All-Star or threat to win the National League strikeout title.  Steve Strasburg was a talented, cannon armed, but raw college pitcher who would use the NECBL as a spring board to greatness.

The Torrington Twister closer (now New Bedford Bay Sox) in 2007, Strasburg dominated the NECBL, winning the League’s Top Prospect Award.

“I was a starter all of my life and I went into college and they asked me to be the closer in my first year,” said Strasburg in a September interview.  “It’s fairly common.  I was sticking with that but I ended up starting the year after that.”

More importantly, as General Manager Kirk Fredriksson will tell you, “Strass” was the hardest working kid on the team.  That nugget alone is why we need another Strasburg article.  Pitchers are made, not necessarily born.  Stephen Strasburg worked his way to greatness.

“I always try and get better every day,” Strasburg said, who added that he is never satisfied with a performance.  “As long as you put the effort in, that is all that matters.”

The formula of work ethic, mixed with a 95 MPH fastball that he could command produced silly results in New England.  Strasburg struck out 25 and walked just one in 14 innings.  Opponents hit .185 against Strasburg, who recorded eight saves and a win in his 13 outings for Torrington.

“It was a little bit of a culture shock for me but I think it was a good experience,” Strasburg recalled.  “I think my pitching coach at San Diego State wanted me to go out there and mature a lot as a person and as a player.  I felt I was able to do that.

“I got to meet a lot of good players,” he continued.  “I actually met one of my best friends, who was playing for Sanford before he transferred to San Diego State, so that was cool.  And the guys on the team in Torrington.  All of the guys I got to meet up with and play against down the road.”

Torrington might have been Strasburg’s last summer of anonymity.  As a sophomore, he was a consensus All-American who had a 0.88 for Team USA.  As a junior, he was the “no doubt about it” first pick of the Draft thanks to a year in which ranked first or second in the nation in strikeouts, ERA and hits per nine innings.

The Nationals did pick him first overall in June 2009 and he debuted in the Big Leagues exactly one year later.  Strasburg’s career had one of the most audacious starts in Major League history, when he fanned 92 in his first 68 Big League innings.  At press time, Strasburg ranked sixth in the Major Leagues in strikeouts.

As formidable as his pitching arsenal is, yhe lesson incoming players should take away from Strasburg is his work ethic.  The Good Lord didn’t give everyone a 6’4” frame, like Strasburg, or the ability to command a high 90s fastball like Strass.

But there are players coming to the 2014 NECBL who can work just as hard as Strasburg did when he toiled for Torrington.  And the work and effort will yield results that are a little more Strasburg-like than otherwise.     

Stephen Strasburg’s advice to the NECBL: “I’d say enjoy it.  You’re never going to get those games and days back.  The people that you meet and the relationships that you make with other people…that is what is important.  Obviously, it’s great playing professionally but not everyone gets a chance to do that.  I wouldn’t trade the memories I made in the NECBL for anything.”