As everyone fixates on Stephen Strasburg, let us not forget that there’s another young phenom making his debut today.
His name is Mike Stanton, he plays for the Marlins and he has simply abused Double-A hitting so far this year. How badly has he abused it? To the tune of .311/.411/.726 with 21 home runs and 52 RBI in 52 games. Stanton is only 20 and, unlike Strasburg, has shown that he has some things he needs to work on (i.e. chasing bad pitches), but he’s no less special a talent and no less important to the future of his organization than the fellow with the curly W cap.
Stanton should be patrolling right field against the Phillies this evening. He’ll likely be facing Stephen Strasburg right after the All-Star break and several times a year after that for the next five or six years or so.