BASEBALL: Gwynn says MLB should be patient

Coach thinks Strasburg might be better off not pitching after season

By Edward Lewis, Sports Editor

Published: Monday, May 4, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Glenn Connelly / Assistant Photo Editor

Some MLB scouts have said SDSU junior phenom Stephen Strasburg could pitch in the MLB today. But if head coach Tony Gwynn were Strasburg, he wouldn’t pitch again this year after the Aztecs’ season.

Tony Gwynn said Stephen Strasburg could be the Washington Nationals No. 1 starter right now.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the San Diego State baseball head coach thinks he should be.

“If this was me,” Gwynn said, “I don’t think I would even pitch anymore this year.”

SDSU’s ace has thrown 78.1 innings this season for the Aztecs, and Gwynn figures Strasburg will end the season somewhere around 100 innings. This past summer with Team USA, Strasburg threw 41 innings and followed that up with an 11-inning performance as a member of the Olympic baseball team in Beijing. By the time the June 9 Major League Baseball Draft rolls around, Strasburg will already have pitched somewhere near 150 innings this year.

“I would be really cautious,” Gwynn said. “I wouldn’t want to rush it.”

But the former San Diego Padre knows how the MLB works. He knows the Washington Nationals, who own the worst record in the MLB, could use a 103 mph fastball and a devastating slider to fill the seats at Nationals Park.

“Let’s face it,” Gwynn said. “The Nationals aren’t the strongest team in Major League Baseball. I’m sure it would be a draw for them to bring a guy like Stephen in and bring him to the big leagues and see if he can pitch.

“Again, each organization is different, I don’t know how it’s going to be worked out, but if it was me, I would invest the money and I would be very cautious.”

Some scouts have said Strasburg might not spend a day in the minor leagues; that his stuff is good enough to get MLB players out right now. But at super-agent Scott Boras’ price tag of a rumored $50 million, Gwynn thinks it would be in the best interest of everybody to shut Strasburg down after the collegiate season.

“Me personally, investing what I knew I had to invest in a guy like Stephen,” Gwynn said, “I’m not going to rush him.”

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Marc

Mon May 18 2009 12:23

Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnston are two of the greatest pitchers in MLB history and Ryan pitched for 22 years and Randy is still going in his 21st season. Strasburg needs to not push himself and jump straight into the MLB. If he is sitting at 150 IP by the time he enters then he realistically only has another 50-70 innings he can safely pitch. That even might be stretching it as he has never been asked to do that and his arm might not hold up.

There is a reason most MLB pitchers don't start in majors till about 23-25. He is 21 and needs to be patient as Gwynn says.

Gary

Thu May 7 2009 22:28

Hey Jokepiece, Im pretty sure you dont get paid as a major league scout do you? Im sure 23 K's in one game was jsut a big goof. I love when haters like you get on forums like this from their cubicle (or dorm) and call guys with HUGE upsides "a joke". Take your prozac, make up with your father for not being there, and stop raining on his parade. I would be willing to bet any dollar amount that you couldnt as much as foul off a pitch from the kid.

Your name

Wed May 6 2009 17:11

If I were Gywnn I'd mix in a salad!

Look, he does not throw 103 mph. No pitcher in history has ever thrown that fast, at least not ever recorded speed. And I wonder if Gwynn is just being cautious, or is he implying there may be something wrong with Strasburg's arm? Probably just caution, and I agree wholeheartedly. I understand the tendency for a bad team like the Nats to rush him, but that would be too risky.

jokepiece

Wed May 6 2009 16:22

this guy is not even good, hes actually a joke, he would get shelled in the majors or even in double A, not to mention his elbow will be in shambles within 2 years so we all need to a little more realistic. nonsense like this is good for espn and such, but hrmm who was the last guy to throw this hard and actually have a healthy career?? exactly

Your name

Wed May 6 2009 14:18

as a former AZTEC writer, congrats to Edward Lewis, your story made MLB Trade Rumors (mlbtraderumors.com)! Go Aztecs!

Joe

Wed May 6 2009 14:09

I agree wholeheartedly with TG. How could you not agree with someone of his pedigree. It seems like the prudent thing to do would be to protect your multi, multi-million dollar investment. Let him fill the seats next year.

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