strasburg could go right into a big league rotation.o you can argue he is more ready in the sense he can be a bigger contributor in the short term but because storen is likely to sign quickly, doesn't have a lot of mileage on his arm and relievers move quickly through the minors he will make an impact first. >> what trend did you see. >> the signability issues. i thought a number of them would fall out of the first round. but they were selected, by and large most of those guys -- matt to the rangers, jay to be turn tore the tigers. mill tore the cardinals, big arms, potential impact guys, number one for two starters. the word is they were asking for big bonuses and that had a lot of teams get can skittish. but they go in the top 20, counterto what i expected. >> keith law, we present it. >> my ple . >>> and just a programming reminder at 9:00 eastern over on e.s.p.n. the sportscenter special. that makes it that much more difficult.@@úúxx . >>> welcome back everybody, national's park in washington, d.c. manny acta and d

i also had a very great and detailed conversation with stephen strasburg. he was elated to be drafted by the washington nationals, fired up to be the number-one pick and he was having a great time there in california with the rest of his teammates at san diego state. >> so strasburg goes number one as expected. welcome in aaron fitt from baseball america. aaron, we just heard the nationals talk about cybering strasburg, easier said than done, especially with scott boras calling the shots. who has the most leverage here in the strasburg-nationals signing process? >> >> you know, i have to think strasburg has a it will -- a little bit more leverage. everyone knew strasburg was the best talent in this draft by a long, long margin, and, you know, i think their fan base will revolt if they don't sign this guy. there's been so much build up for it. at the same time, there's a lot of risk for strasburg and boras if they turn down $20 million, let's say, you know, which would be double the record for a drafted pitcher. if they turn that down and reenter the draft n

when you look at strasburg's numbers, he's amazing. the strikeout-to-walk ratio is something out of a video game. it is that astonishing. he's been... they say he's hit 103 on the gun. we had a chance to cover his game in the college world series and he was really hitting 94 through most of the game. it's official, he's the number-one pick of the nationals. there's a big difference between 103 and 94. a lot of guys in the minors throw 94. what's going to separate him? >> one, it's the second pitch. it's the fact he's got an out pitch breaking ball. plenty of guys can throw hard. it's a relatively easy thing to do. it's a lot harder to find a consistent curveball or slider where you get good break on it, get some deception, something to get hitters off of the fastball. 95 and straight is actually a pretty hittable pitch for a big league hitter. the other thing that separates strasburg for me is he has good command of the fastball. when he was a freshman, the summer after his freshman year, he threw hard certainly, up to 97, but his loca

has quoted saying stros strasburg is a -- strasburg is a different cat. how are the negotiations going as you try to get strasburg in the fold? >> it is an ongoing conversation. we keep the lines of communication open at all times. he is as good as it gets in his occupation. his job is to do his best for his client. but he realizes this is a player that needs to be pitching in professional baseball to get to hisibility national goal of being a -- his ultimate goal of being a major league pitcher. with scott, i have had a lot of dealings with him. high school a professional, amicable relationship. it is based on fact and, you know, expectations have got to be realistic. >> ray: it will get done. i just believe it is going to get done. i felt that from the very beginning. those guys have to realize as you said, there's slots there. david price, whatever he got he got. it has to be somewhere around that figure. it can't be $50 million. forget that baloney. what is fair is fair and the kid needs to get here and start pitching. aaron you is a great example i'm

. >> strasburg is considered the best baseball player. >> with the first selection in the 2009 firstear player draft, the washington nationals select stephen strasburg. ♪ >>> rises up and knocks it down. >> pau's first dunk. it is a clinic from a very focused kobe bryant. >> a jam-packed show for you. helping you stay current with the latest news, scores and high lights. a shocker out of college basketball. tim floyd has extend down as head coach of usc. with more on this story later on epses -- "espnews." >> the magic with an opportunity to make this thing a series, and to do that they actually need a win tonight in game three. joining us from orlando, the site of the matchup, rachael nichols. you have been around the magic before. what's they're mindset? >> it's interesting. dwight howard told me that somebody sent him a box of mustard seeded. there's a phrase that says if you have faith, even just a mustard seed, you can move mountains. dwight howard says faith i got. we says we know we can even this series and it starts with this game tonight. >> very deep. court in theley had a

everyone expected strasburg to go number one.cott boras and the crazy numbers that are being thrown out there, you think at the end of the day, the nationals will be forced to sign him. >> right. i think it will probably happen on august 17th, the deadline probably at 11:55 the night, the norm the last couple of years. as they get to the deadline and everyone says we're not going to sign our guys. we get to 11:50, 11:5 and i get a bunch of phone calls saying we got our guy done. i expect that pattern to hold, not just with stratburg, probably with ackley and tate and handful of other guys we've seen taken in the first round. the issue with strasburg is people talk about the nationals have to sign him, the team is so bad, they need a p.r. boost after a tough off season on the public relations front, but there is a leverage issue for boras and for strasburg, and what's your alternative to signing? if the nationals offer you $20 million, are you going to turn that down and potentially go back the school or go pitch in independent ba

i mean for strasburg it's obviously a big day for him. we're all excited to have him in our organization and can't wait to see him. i personally can't wait to meet him. but at the same time we still have to you know prepare ourselves a around here and try the get ourselves ready for the next game. >> stephen strasburg a pitcher from san diego. aaron harang going to be faced by horizon risks. >> he is a horse, a big boy, 6'7". led the league in innings pitched. always right there with the league leader, a pretty straight fastball, big looping curve ball, right around the plate all the time, 4-1 strikeouts based on ball ratio. the fastball, the change-up, the slide era tnd occasional curve ball and he has not pitched effectively of late. 27 batess on balls and 27 strikeouts a great indicator of that. 17 based on balls, 65 strikeouts, but nonetheless you can't take away those 5 from that shairon and if he gets those he is tough. >> that's what he is known for is his change-up. the no decision as he looks for his sixth win of the year and the

just about five hours ago the nationals drafted highly touted pitcher stephen strasburg out of san diegohe question is can he live up to all the hype. and manny acta thinks he has the right make up to deal with it. >> the main thing is what he's going to do after he signs. it's always going to be pressure when you're drafted number 1 overall because people are going to be expecting big things and comparing you with a lot of people taking first overall and all that. if he can stay away from all that and just be himself and if he is as good as advertised right now i don't think he'll have any problems. >> deb: and tonight's steven's college coach at san diego state describes him as a hard working humble kid who gets it and he wants to play big league baseball. >> and he said the same thing about rob dibble too. he said the guy always has humble. he did. >> rob: i was never humble. >> johnny: scoreless relief in each of his last 18 appearances. look at this number. 16 innings only 8 hits allowed, no earned runs, walked seven and struck out six. >> rob: the one thing i like about ron being h

i heard over 1500 stories were written about strasburg. it's going to be hard for yo to get your work in and get yours to the major league. aspitched innings in the major league last year. he spent the entire season getting ready. it's a ocesalways involving and always changing. you saw storen trying to get out there. that's his like this kid. they like what he's done at stanford, his makeup, his approach to the ballgame, it will fact he's all american the last two years. he's got the whole package. guzman retiring hernandez. great prep career out at stanford. dominating performance. nice play by guzman and a play spinning his way. you can see the way he reacted. >> rob: win field, hallof famer said a 240 major league hitter now would be better than any competition an entire year. everybody thinks it's so easy to play vel yet the 43 or 44 before strasburg, first overall pick, never beenan of there, there's 44 44 picks. whatever the agents are selling, the proof isn't in the pudding. now you've got a rod and griffey jr. there's been other

it is not about the money strasburg will earn. when his team is ready, you bring him up to the major leagues. i was the first people to be critical of the cubs who brought up prior and wood. even some of the younger guys with the tigers back in the day. jeremy bonderman and he lost 211-year. because they were the most talent that they had in the entire organization. sometimes it is way before your time. matt cain was just here from the giants. kid is 24 and 25 now, got 5 years under his belt but he had some lean years there. it is not just about pitching at the major league level is going to help you win ballgames. good pitching will help you windy visions and championships. >> johnny: and pipers -- win, divisions and championships. >> johnny: and pitchers who can throw strikes. >> rob: look what happened to rick ankiel. he was rushed to the major leagues. he starts the playoff game and absolutely loses it psychologically. not physically and eventually, he is a decent outfielder with the cardinals. you want someone to play as long

we'll take you to the first day just like stephen strasburg felt.ow did you feel that day you were drafted. >> that was a big day. there was a bill lull between the day i got drafted and the time i got signed. i wasn't going to go play because i had a long season in college, so i had a lot on my hands and a lot of time to rest up. >> what do you think about stephen strasburg from san diego state? >> i hear he is the real deal. i heard nothing but good stuff about him. so that's good. >> what kind of advice do you have for him as he goes through what you went through? >> just enjoy it. take your time. don't rush it. if he opens up in the big league, good luck to him. that's a big dinse, going from that 7 days to 5 days, that's the big thing for me. you can feel it on your arm every time you go out. during the course of the season where you go 30 to 35 starts whereas in college, you make 15 to 16. >> you are saying, 2008, work in the minor league, not working hard on your arm really helped you for this year? >> absolutely. it's all about the long run.

stephen strasburg, the flame-thrower from san diego state goes number one to the nationals. >> hey there. welcome to espnews. glad you could be with us here. ryan burr along with michele lafountain on what is a monster day and night in the

. >> rob: you can make a great argument against strasburg and what his agent is saying. this a kid who came out of nowhere, six games into the major league last year, they gave him a long-term contract, goes out and wins rookie of the year. talk about impact player. >> bob: stammen is there to grab it, longoria signed a 17 million-dollar six -- 70 million-dollar six-year deal. od through safety-colored glasses. doing what it takes to make home a little better. that's why we lowered over a thousand prices. and carry powerful tools from dewalt, milwaukee, ridgid, and more. so you spend less, but drill, saw, and nail... more. more saving. more doing. that's the power of the home depot. right now, save $20 on a ryobi 18v starter kit with drill and circular saw for just $89. on a ryobi 18v starter kit welcome to chili's. something new is on the grill. try chili's new fire-grilled quesadillas, starting at just $6.99. like our bacon-ranch chicken quesadilla, flame-grilled tortillas layered with all white meat chicken, applewood smoked bacon, jack cheese, and ranch dressing. the

a 3-2 loss but of course steven strasburg is the first round pick. certainly a bright spot. sterming defense by both teams. we'll show you some great catches, nats extra postgame continues after this. - it's on. - it's on. - ( music playing throughout ) - it's on. - oh, it's on, all right. - it's on. - totally on. jimmy, it's on. - it's on. - oh, yeah, it's on. affirmative, it's on. announcer: southwest airlines announces new service out of bwi airport, with three daily nonstop flights to new york laguardia for just 49 dollars one-way starting june 28th. grab your bag. it's on. - ( ding ) - book now at southwest.com. ♪ (tucci) more bars in more places. at&t. the best coverage worldwide. get the blackberry bold for $199.99 after mail-in-rebate. only from at&t. so, what's the problem? these are hot. we're shipping 'em everywhere. but we can't predict our shipping costs. dallas. detroit. different rates. well with us, it's the same flat rate. same flat rate. boston. boise? same flat rate. alabama. alaska? with priority mail flat rate boxes from the postal service. if it fits, i

. >> rob: even more impressive, a lot of people talked about stephen strasburg, this is the biggest day in your life so far. >> and it's great to be linked with such a great pitcher like him too. >> rob: as far as you got the news who made the first phone call to him. >> mike rizzo did. he called me about five minutes after and just kind of said "congratulations." >> andy: how excited they were and i don't think he was nearly as excited as i was, that's for sure. >> rob: now back when you sided to go to stanford did you ever think you would go so high in the draft. it is a good academic school as well as a good baseball school. >> i didn't expect it but i didn't think it was out of the question because of the quality program and the great pitchers that have come out of there before and i didn't expect to go 10th over all but i thought i had a good possibility of getting up there so it ended up working out all right. >> johnny: you are good friends with jack ma geary, weren't you roommates? >> we're roommates and we have been talking the last couple weeks and we were both really hoping t

could be working on the strasburg deal now. >> rob: i'd hate to pay his cell phone bill. >> bob: 2-2 to pena who's had a hit, walk, and scored. a little pop up right in the infield. that's the 3rd baseman willie harris. that's a big hitter retired in soft fashion. let's talk about the turn around which the pitchers have engineered here lately. era is down more than a run. the home runs are down. the opponents batting average is down. especially the way they're hit being men on base. >> it's unfortunate we don't have the same offense. they're getting more quality starts out of the younger guys. they're learning every start. >> bob: other than a 7-0 loss to the mets last sunday, the nats have been up every game. gonzalez is out there. he was having a hard time seeing the ball up into the the opaque colored roof. it is a day game. the roof is brighter than at night. alberto did good staying with it. >> rob: alberto does a great job trying to pick up a white ball with an almost white roof. >> bob: i don't think that the person that designed this field had any clue about baseball. >> bob:

yes, they will be negotiating with strasburg. will he pitch in the major league? they said, we don't know but no rush. that's what the rays did last year. i often said, bob, in 2007, he was reliever of the year in the summer league up in connecticut. he can pitch out of the bullpen but there is no reason to make him go up there after 110 innings pitched in college and have him go out there and try to start five games in september. >> bob: adam dunn, a perfect night with an rbi hit and two walks. i think, if this is any indication, the rays may be pitching around him almost all weekend. the only hit he got tonight was when matt garza had him 0-2 and gave him something that was too close to the strike zone. other than that, they pitched away from adam dunn, away from the strike zone, that is. and a 1-1 pitch. that was strike 3 with the bases loaded last week, that pitch [ laughter ]. >> bob: we don't foreget, do we? >> rob: never. >> bob: elijah dukes next here in the top of the 8th. ball 3. breaking pitch i'm i people who may not know who mike grizz yo; he independ

strasburg when he gets here will learn.aking mistakes like that in college, you might get away with it. >> johnny:

a lot of talk too about strasburg and how much long term negotiating will go on the client and the guyrepresents him. i'm assuming he wants to play as much as the young guy that signed today does. >> rob: i think aaron crow was in the same position last year. it's not so much the ages i worry about. it's the way the game has progressed to where you think you need to pay someone $10 million and they've never been on a professional field. i think it's hard to say what you can do with the $10 million next year. he spent 110 innings in college. how does that compare with the minor league? i wouldn't want to pay that much. for the future of the organization, you're going to have to pay money to get him in here. >> johnny: gonzalez back. the nationals lead two on the bases. do not get a run across. 2-0 cincinnati. - it's on. - oh, it's on, all right. - it's on. - totally on. jimmy, it's on. - it's on. - oh, yeah, it's on. affirmative, it's on. announcer: southwest airlines announces new service out of bwi airport, with three daily nonstop flights to new york laguardia for just 49 dollars one

everybody expects the nats with that number 1 overall pick to take steve strasburg.ng about this draft, it is such an inexact science because you have high school players and college players and you have no idea how or if at all they will develop beyond what they are now and it could take years. >> rick sometimes, a player goes unnoticed like a hernandez type player. he does not get picked up high and it motivates him to show everybody how good he is and you end up a guy who is a 16th, 17th round draft pick who excels through a and aa and goes to the major league. everybody wonders, how did he fall through the cracks? sometimes, scouts don't get a chance to see him like they should. sometimes, it takes more than one game to see him. just like nolan reimold. you get diamonds notice rough. if you don't pick in that first round, it motivates some young guys to show what they are worth. >> the players development is the rife blood of many systems. elsewhere in the american league tonight, let's start with the red sox and the rangers at fenway park. ian kins letter, top o

i love strasburg has the great 100 miles per hour fastball and the heater, but the second and third time i face this guy what is he thinking i'm going to throw, that's pitching in the big leagues. leave on, i think he showed a lot of our kids how to do it without great ability. >> johnny: the 2-0 to cueto, don't want to lose him. . >> rob: no. >> rob: that's going to drive maddox nuts to walk the opposing pitcher. rob when you came up and when you -- he walks him. and you made your debut in the major leagues was there a guy on that cincinnati team that kind of took you under his wing and showed you the right way? >> rob: they all did. i mean as far as in the bullpen it was wonderful, johnny franko, frank williams, johnny murphy were all seasoned veterans. for someone who started in the minor leagues, johnny franko startd out with the dodgers and got traded to the reds. like i said danny jackson got traded over to us, jose rio came over from the athletics to the reds and so i was quite left blessed with a lot of the older guys that were like you're doing this, working too hard on that, ev

that is why you drafted strasburg. that is why you signed storen.ilding and building. like the tampa bay rays after a while, boom, you win 97 games and go to the world series. >> johnny: zimmerman fouls it out of play. count is full. 4th full count for micah owings. he has walked the previous three. >> rob: one thing i talked to the pitching coach about today and rick eckstein is you control what you can control. go out there and do your job. pitch your 6, 7 innings. come in your one inning in relief. you can't worry about everything else that is going on around you and try to do everybody else's job. >> johnny: just do your own job. zimmerman fouls it back out of play again. 1-0 ballgame in the bottom of the third. bob carpenter back with rob tomorrow night when they head to tampa. a weekend series against the rays. good crowd on hand today. >> rob: got a souvenir. he is out on summer break. comes to a ballgame. >> johnny: some of our injured servicemen and women from the versus walter reed and bethesda naval introduced to the fans. zimmerman draws

.: how's the strasburg lottery going?>> rob: i'll have to ask. >> jim h.: hernandez gets out of it. two hits, and no runs.   >> bob: john lannan in and out of trouble, first couple of innings, 33 pitches, 20 strikes. for the orldz, top of the order, adam jones, bottom three in a 1-0 game. ripped to left. adam jones, against the nationals in his career, is now 22 for 47. he's approaching the .460 mark against washington pitching. >> jim p.: he doesn't miss a whole lot of belt high fastballs, especially in the middle of the plate. watch this one right there. that's where it is. you know that john lannan wanted to maybe get it away a little bit. sink it away. the thing about adam, he's a much better hitter against right-handed pitching. only three of his 12 home runs. well over .300 against righties, but .275 against lefties. >> bob: ty wigginton next, popped out to right first time. orioles have had a couple of runners walk. this ball slapped out of play to the right side. >> jim p.: it seems to me a lot