2014 is a key season for the career and legacy of Nationals' phenom Stephen Strasburg, as well as the era of the “innings limit.”
Strasburg, 25, is entering his fifth Major League season. Despite being gifted with amazing pitching abilities, Strasburg has fought hard to remain on the mound. His career record stands at 29-19, with a 2.96 ERA. He has been an effective strikeout pitcher, averaging 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. However Strasburg has failed to fully live up to the potential he has. And I don't think that's Strasburg's fault.
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“I don't think anybody will expect more from him than he does from himself,” said former Major League Andy Benes. “That's what makes the elite guys want to pitch at the highest level.”
Strasburg has an elite work ethic and dominating pitches. He should be a Major League ace at this point in his career. Right now, fans and anyalists can argue Strasburg is the third best pitcher in the Nationals rotation, behind former 20-game winner Gio Gonzalez and 19-game winner Jordan Zimmermann.
Strasburg should've never been shut down by the Nationals' front office during their 2012 playoff run. That is the one factor that has changed Strasburg's career. Had he pitched in the 2012 playoffs and built up arm strength, his 2013 season would've improved. The idea that pitch counts and innings limit help pitcher is idiotic and moronic at best.
“Pitch counts and innings limits should mean very little in Major League Baseball,” said former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone. “Each pitcher is different and should not be held to the same generic pitch count.”
Mazzone made these comments in January at a pitcher's symposium in New Jersey. He along with other former professional pitchers like former Giants' all-star closer Gary Levelle, shared in Mazzone's sentiment.
The Nationals screwed up with Stephen Strasburg. General Manager Mike Rizzo, along with other front office members, should never have put a innings limit on Strasburg. It is scientifically proven that pitchers who throw more will build up more arm strength. Throwing less and sporadically will only weaken a pitcher's arm. If Strasburg, who went 8-9, with a 3.00 ERA in 2013, doesn't improve, then he will become another pitcher to fall prey to the “innings limit and pitch count” era.
“He’s blessed with tremendous ability,” said Nationals' pitching coach Steve McCatty. “He’s about as disciplined with what he’s going to do and how he’s going to do it as any guy I’ve ever been around.”
Strasburg does have great talent and ability. That's why it's so sad that the Nationals misused Strasburg on the mound. He is not the first pitcher in this era to fall prey to the “innings limit” trap.
Former Yankees' prospect and now Tigers' pitcher Joba Chamberlain fell into the same trap. When Chamberlain made his Major League debut in 2007, the Yankees front office subject him to the “Joba rules.” These rules were designed to limit the amount of pitches and innings Chamberlain could throw at the Major League level.
Chamberlain, who is entering his eighth Major League season, has a career record of 23-14, with a 3.85 ERA. However after the Joba rules were lifted prior to the 2009 season, Chamberlain's career record stands at 17-11, with a 4.50 ERA. The Yankees completely mismanaged or over manged Chamberlain's pitching cycle. It conflicted with his usual regiment and he became a completely different pitcher as a result.
Strasburg could be a Hall of Fame pitcher. Or he could be Joba Chamberlain 2.0.
2014 will be the season that determines which pitcher Strasburg will become. Either way, Mike Rizzo and the “innings limit” era of Major League Baseball, have done nothing (when it comes to innings limits and pitch counts) to help Strasburg.
Nothing at all.
Disagree? Let us know what you think of Strasburg in the comment section.
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