Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State, already known as the nation's top baseball prospect, today was named the recipient of the inaugural Pitcher of the Year Award by the College Baseball Foundation.
Strasburg was selected first overall in Tuesday's opening round of Major League Baseball's First- Year Player Draft. But today's honor comes after the junior from San Diego's West Hill High School dominated the college baseball season with a fastball clocked at 103 mph, and curveball and change-up to match.
"I am very honored to be named Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation," Strasburg said. "I'm also very honored to be recognized as a San Diego State University Aztec player and pitcher. I'm looking forward to visiting Lubbock to be part of the Awards Show."
The Pitcher of the Year Award will be presented officially at 7 p.m. on July 2 at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock as part of the inaugural College Baseball Awards Show, which will recognize the top players in the 2009 college baseball season.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander won 13 consecutive decisions in posting a 13-1 record in 15 starts. The highlight of the season came in Strasburg's first career no-hitter on May 8 against Air Force, in which he struck out 17. It was a fitting performance in his final home game. For the season, Strasburg led the nation with a 1.32 ERA and 195 strikeouts, against 19 walks in 109 innings. He allowed only 65 hits and opponents hit just .172 with four home runs against him. The other finalists for the award were Eric Arnett of Indiana, Mike Leake of Arizona State, Deck McGuire of Georgia Tech, and A.J. Morris from Kansas State.
Strasburg, the two-time Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year, also has been named a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy by the CBF, the Dick Howser Trophy Committee and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
In addition to the Pitcher of the Year Award, other awards presented during the show will include the Dick Howser Trophy for the national player of the year, and the Brooks Wallace Award honoring the nation's top shortstop. The College Baseball Awards Show will be complimented by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as a part of the July 1 through July 4 college baseball celebration.