Stephen Strasburg’s latest dominant start last night featured 13 strikeouts and just one earned run in six innings against the Pirates, including blowing a 96-mph fastball past Garrett Jones with the bases loaded on his 103rd and final pitch.
Strasburg’s combined numbers since returning from Tommy John surgery in September are absolutely ridiculous: 68 innings, 1.59 ERA, 75 strikeouts, 12 walks, 2 homers allowed, .189 opponents’ batting average.
He’s lost a little bit of velocity, averaging 95.7 miles per hour with his fastball compared to 97.3 mph before surgery, but even 95.7 mph is the fastest fastball in baseball by a relatively wide margin this season. He also leads baseball in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings. Oh, and even after sitting out nearly an entire calendar year after going under the knife Strasburg is still two months shy of his 24th birthday.
