Baseball is different than hockey. In hockey, certain draft picks are projected as can't-miss elite superstars before they're even drafted. After Wayne there was Mario and Eric and Sidney. We were anticipating excellence before their professional debuts. In baseball, it's a much longer road to the big leagues, and so many things can go wrong along the way, so there really isn't a "can't miss" blue chip prospect as there is in hockey or basketball.
Having said that, I don't think I've ever heard as much hype about a player's MLB debut than I'm hearing about Stephen Strasburg. Stephen Strasburg will pitch tonight for the Washington Nationals and more than 200 requests for media credentials have been submitted. All eyes are on Strasburg who is 7-2 with a 1.30 ERA with 65 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 55 1/3 innings spread across Double-A and Triple-A.
I'm predicting he pitches a perfect game tonight. Anything less will be disappointing.
