Nationals' Treasure Shines Again in Double-A

It's just a matter of time before Mr. Strasburg comes to Washington

Think Stephen Strasburg is ready for the major leagues? The Reading Phillies certainly do.

The Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A affiliate probably hopes it never has to see the pitching phenom again after his performance Tuesday.

Strasburg pitched five no-hit innings for the Harrisburg Senators and allowed only one base runner in the Senators’ 1-0 win over Reading. That base runner only reached on a strikeout, when the pitch got past the catcher.

Strasburg doesn’t seem to be having much trouble adjusting to professional baseball. The first overall draft pick from last summer is now 3-0, with an ERA of just 0.52. He has struck out 23 batters in 17.1 innings pitched.

He isn’t too shabby in the batter’s box, either. He singled to score the Senators’ only run. It was his second hit of the season.

Strasburg is impressing fans, scouts, and even his opponents.

Philadelphia Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge took the mound for Reading, as he tries to return to the major leagues after knee and elbow surgery. His impression of the Nationals’ hot prospect: “It’s not very often you’ll see a guy who throws that hard with that kind of command. Hopefully our hitters will figure him out when he gets called up.”

Based on Tuesday’s performance, that call should be coming pretty soon.

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