Both of these kids aren't even old enough to drink. One is barely old enough to legally drive by himself.  Stephen Strasburg, 20, and Bryce Harper, 16, are baseball's future. Strasburg, a starting pitcher out of San Diego State University, and Harper, a catcher out of Las Vegas High School, have both been called baseball's saviors.

In this article, I'll get an in-depth analysis of each player's strengths, and then give my opinion of which player I'd rather build a franchise around.

Stephen Strasburg

The incredible pitcher out of SDSU.  And by using the word incredible, that might not be a word that praises him enough.

Strasburg is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft.  He stands 6'4" on the mound, and his fastball has been clocked at 103 miles per hour.  Though typically his fastball will range in the 95-98 mph zone, Strasburg is an absolute force on the mound.

He also has a good Uncle Charlie curveball, and a slider that is comparable to a Randy Johnson slide piece when Johnson was in his prime.

In 2008, Strasburg went 8-3 for the Aztecs, posting a 1.27 ERA, and striking out nearly two batters per inning.  In one game, he struck out 23 Utah Ute batters.

This year, Strasburg went 13-1, with a 1.32 ERA, and 195 strikeouts in 109 innings pitched.  Strasburg also pitched a no-hitter in his final home start against the Air Force Falcons.

Strasburg also pitched for team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Strasburg went 1-1 for the Americans, and left with a 1.64 ERA in the Olympics.

He one-hit the Netherlands over seven innings, but lost to the Cuban team.

Strasburg has a never ending list of achievements, including a 2009 preseason All-American selection from Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.  He was also the first collegiate player to be named to the USA National Team ever, and was SDSU's No. 1 starter since he was a sophomore.

When in the Majors, Strasburg will likely be a strikeout king, like Tim Lincecum or a younger Randy Johnson.  His ERA should hover around 3.50.

The 20 year old Strasburg will be the Washington National's first selection in the 2009 draft, and can possibly pitch in the majors when the September call-ups are made.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?