Stephen Strasburg: 10 Reasons To Be Alarmed By His Recent Arm Troubles

Stephen Strasburg has opened the eyes of a football rich Washington D.C. area and put the spotlight back on Major League Baseball. The Nationals
went 59-103 in 2009 and drafted their savior.

Strasburg was called the "most-hyped pick in draft history," by ESPN. The right-hander from San Diego didn't wait long to make a splash in the Big leagues, but he waited just as long to go to the Disabled List.

So with being the number 1 overall pick and the highest paid contract at 15.1 million comes responsibility. Here are 10 reasons to be concerned with Strasburg's arm troubles.

10. Playing in the National League

When you play the National League, you don't have the luxury of using a
designated hitter in the batting order.

Strasburg recorded his first hit of the season against the Kansas City Royals back in June in a 1-0 loss. When you're in the batters box and opposing pitchers see you striking out all the teammates, don't be surprised if someone throws at you.

If Strasburg was on an American League squad, he would get the rest every pitcher desires when they come to the dugout. Besides, no one wants to be the pitcher who gave up a hit to another pitcher.

9. Playing for the Washington Nationals

Strasburg heard it from day one, "Don't ever play for the Washington Nationals!"

Let's face it Nationals fans. The team hasn't been above .500 since arriving in Washington.

Strasburg could have went all Eli Manning and said, "Please don't draft me," but he didn't. He instead signed a record contract with the Nationals and quickly became the new face of a struggling franchise.

The Nationals are still 16.5 games back in the East Division but only need to win 11 games out of the next 51 to best their record from last season.

8. Playing in the National League East

The National League East boasts some of best teams and hitters led by Ryan Howard and 2009 World Series Runner-Up the Philadelphia Phillies.

The East division is just stacked with the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, and the aforementioned Phillies. Every one of those teams has the talent to make a push for a ring, and they're all led by superstars.

Ryan Howard is just one hitter Strasburg has to face, Hanley Ramirez, rookie sensation Jason Heyward, and David Wright are all upper echelon batters. Strasburg will have to try and hold his own against some of the Big League's best every night if he can turn the Nationals around.

7. Will His Slide Become a Problem or Is It Just a Streak?

Strasburg's recent struggles could just be a slump he's in that all pitchers like Ubaldo Jimenez go through. Or will it turn into a season long struggle like Zack Greinke?

Most likely Strasburg's recent slide is just a streak, but if it turns into a problem the Nationals might go down with the ship. Washington needs that ace on the mound, the same guy who struck out the most batters in his first three starts ever.

It won't be only be bad news for Strasburg as fans in Washington might get restless if he doesn't produce again like he did going 2-0 early with 22 K's and a sub 3.0 ERA.

6. Too Much Fame and Fortune?

Is $15.1 million and living in the nation's capitol too much for the 22-year-old? Money, fame and fortune does change people (i.e. Michael Beasley).

Strasburg signed the richest contract, breaking Mark Prior's (we'll delve into him a bit more later) previous record of $10.5 million in 2001. 

Strasburg needs someone there to keep him focused at his young age and make sure that being famous doesn't ruin his potential on the bump.

5. Is Strasburg Mentally Tough Enough for the Big Leagues?

The rollercoaster season Strasburg has went through can make any pitcher lose his focus and mental toughness.

Strasburg was labeled the "most hyped and closely watched pitching prospect in the history of baseball" by Sports Illustrated before he even played a game. He was all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips early, but since going 2-0, he has gone 3-3 including a three-game losing streak.

Strasburg's most recent struggle against the Marlins he gave up six hits, six runs in only 4.1 innings in a 8-2 blowout loss. Add in a trip to the DL and you got yourself a sticky situation (and no I'm not talking about the Jersey Shore).

4. Not Enough Time in the Minors

You could say this about pretty much any rookie player who struggles, but did Strasburg need extra time to develop before being making his debut for the Nationals?

The hype was still there as ESPN broadcast portions of his games when he played for Double-A Harrisburg Senators. Strasburg left the Senators after giving up a stingy 1.64 ERA. He finished minor league play with a 7-2 record and a 1.3 ERA.

But would it have been worth it to keep Strasburg in the minors and keep his confidence level high?

We'll never know, but it could have worked. The Nats could wait until they could really make a run at the NL East before bringing him up for a few starts to get him ready for next season.

3. Strasburg Threw His Best Stuff Too Early

Now this is debatable, but could it be true that Strasburg threw his best stuff too early? Is Strasburg tipping his pitches? Do batters now know how to hit his fastballs?

Strasburg can actually throw two different fastballs, a curveball, and a changeup. It makes you wonder whether or not batters know what he's pitching before he actually throws the ball.

Strasburg could have waited to and not showed opposing teams his entire arsenal, but he didn't. Strasburg has thrown everything he has at batters and they're hitting them all.

2. Is the Shoulder a Real Problem or Just Inflammation?

Strasburg was scratched minutes before his start against the Braves on July 27 after feeling pain in the shoulder during warmups. Strasburg says it's just inflammation of the shoulder, but what if it's not?

Strasburg looked seriously hurt in his first game back, and not just because he gave up six runs in just over four innings of work. Strasburg's shoulder could be a real problem and with the way Washington is going this season, it might be better to let him rest and recover and get ready for 2011.

Nationals trainer contends that the team has "fine-tuned" Strasburg's arm exercises since the initial inflammation.

1. Mark Prior 2.0?

If you know anything about Mark Prior and Stephen Strasburg then you know the comparison.

Both ptichers signed record contracts, both had all the hype, and now both have suffered injuries. Prior has suffered 11 injuries since signing his rookie contract, and if Strasburg's shoulder doesn't heal he could very well be headed in the same direction as Mark Prior.

The jury is still out on Strasburg, but time will tell if his shoulder problem is just inflammation or an injury that can ruin a career.

Concerns about arm struggles could be the end for Strasburg

Strasburg has a huge hill to climb if he ever wishes to become the next greatest pitcher, and he'll have to do it against the best batters in the game.

If he can keep himself healthy he won't have to worry about the Mark Prior comparison, but there is still plenty of other reasons to be concerned about Strasburg's recent arm struggle.