Is Stephen Strasburg Ready For the Majors?

San Diego State junior right-hander Stephen Strasburg entered the ninth inning against Air Force with 14 strikeouts. This total was nothing new for the Aztec, who fanned 23 batters earlier this season in a win over the Utah.

But something was particularly magical about this performance.

He carried a no-hitter into the final inning, three outs away from accomplishing one more feat before he departs for the major leagues.

Strasburg was even more dominant than usual. At 6'5", the overpowering presence struck out seven of the first nine hitters he faced.

His fastball was clocked in at 102 mph, whipping past bats before they could react. His mid-90’s slider was sharp, and his curveball devastating.

Air Force had no chance.

He stepped to the mound in the top of the ninth inning to a standing ovation, the record 3,337 fans in attendance abuzz, awaiting history to be made.

He held nothing back, firing perhaps his best fastball of the game to the first batter, Blair Roberts, for strike one. Roberts fought the count to 2-2, but couldn’t do anything with the fifth pitch of the at-bat, catching only air as a fastball sped past for strike three.

The 15th strikeout for Strasburg.

Seldom-used senior outfielder Tytus Moss was Strasburg’s next victim. Moss swung and missed at a blistering fastball, then again, and again. Three pitches, three strikes, and quickly Strasburg’s 16th strikeout.

One out away for a memorable goodbye to his hometown fans.

The sunset glistened over the stadium, making the final sequence all the more picturesque. Every seat is empty, as every fan stands in anticipation.

Nathan Carter takes a first pitch strike, then a ball to even the count. Strasburg goes ahead, firing a fastball right by him.

For the final pitch of the at-bat—and the game—Strasburg fools Carter, buckling his knees with a filthy slider in the heart of the strike zone.

Strasburg slammed his glove down and jumped into the arms of his catcher. The crowd went wild, as the rest of his teammates joined the celebration and hoisted him in the air.

This was the exclamation point, and the perfect ending to a fabolously dominant career at San Diego State. He can now ride off into that sunset and toward professional baseball, a place he clearly belongs.

Seeing as the columnists writing on the National Journal, a blog for the Washington Post, covered this game exclusively, and referred to the San Diego Aztecs as “we,” it is okay to assume that the Washington Nationals will be selecting the wiry flamethrower with the first pick in June’s draft.

General manager Mike Rizzo, who was in attendance, confirmed the expected, saying “he’d be our guy” in an interview with the Washington Post’s Chico Harlan.

The Nationals would be obtuse not to sign him, even though Strasburg’s agent, Scott Boras, is looking for a $50 million contract.

There is one question regarding the future of Strasburg: Is he worthy of skipping the minor leagues entirely to jump straight to the Nationals' pitching staff?

I am hesitant to say yes, considering the differential in talent between the collegiate and professional game. Yet, there is a distinct possibility that he will make the leap, given his winner’s mentality and incredible repertoire of pitches.

Washington needs all the help it can get. The team needs to fill seats, and Strasburg’s presence alone would do that.