Riggleman: Strasburg to likely start in minors

Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said today that phenom and number 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg would likely start the season off in the minors.

Riggleman said he doesn't consider Strasburg to be competing for a spot in the rotation, and hinted the 21-year-old will likely start in the minors, barring an extraordinary spring that forces a change of plans.

"I really wouldn't want to say he's competing for a spot in the rotation," Riggleman said. "We're open-minded. Everybody's performances will determine where they end up. He could pitch real well down here, but we still may feel like the development process is to be respected in going through the system and getting really used to the rigors of throwing every fifth day in games."

"We don't say, 'If he throws good, he's going to be in the rotation,' but we're not eliminating it, either," Riggleman said. "We really appreciate the process players have to go through to get here, and he may have to go through it."

Not to much of a surprise.  I personally di dnot have expectations that Strasburg would start right away in Washington.  The bigger question is, should it go as expected and Strasburg starts the season in either Potomac or Harrisburg, how long before he makes his major league debut?  Part of the responsibility for a franchise is to keep a check on expectations and given the tremendous hype on Strasburg, the Nats appear to be trying to control those expectations.

Read more at

http://dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-nationals/riggleman-strasburg-to-likely-start-in-minors.html