The wait is almost over.

 

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, will pitch in two Instructional League games next month.

 

His first outing will be against the Tigers on Oct. 5 in Viera, Fla., and then he will go on the mound again five days later against the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla. In both starts, Strasburg will be limited in how many pitches he throws.

 

General manager Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten were not available for comment.

 

After the two outings, Strasburg will then head to Phoenix to play in the Arizona Fall League.

 

I'm going to try to get to Saturdays game, does anyone know what time they usually start? Are they like GCL games that start @ 12PM?

Washington Nationals top draft pick Stephen Strasburg shined in his instructional league debut Monday Night.

Strasburg faced the Detroit Tigers rookies on a 40-pitch count limit. He pitched two innings and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out two batters, including the first batter he faced.

It was his first game action since starting for San Diego State four months ago.

He actually wasn't on a 40-pitch limit, he was on a 40-pitch or 2 inning limit, whichever came first. He only threw 25-pitches, all of which would have sickened me if I had seen the whole thing.

I also dont know if he necessarily "shined" giving up a run in 2 innings...

From I found online the game on Saturday will have a 10AM start for those in the Orlando area might be worth getting up early for.

Just got back from the game, Strasburg pitched 3 innings, gave up 3 hits, 1 earned run, struck out 6 and walked none. According to the games charting and running radar he threw 41 pitches and his hardest throw came in at 97mph, but was consistenly hitting 96 on the gun. After he pitched he came into the stands and signed autographs for the 15-20 people waiting. He was a bit odd in that he personalized as much, as possible, wouldn't let you take his picture while signing, he didn't want people to "authenticate" his word not mine, so they could sell it later. The highlight for me was talking to Jerry Browne a Nats coach and former Marlin

Just got back from the game, Strasburg pitched 3 innings, gave up 3 hits, 1 earned run, struck out 6 and walked none. According to the games charting and running radar he threw 41 pitches and his hardest throw came in at 97mph, but was consistenly hitting 96 on the gun. After he pitched he came into the stands and signed autographs for the 15-20 people waiting. He was a bit odd in that he personalized as much, as possible, wouldn't let you take his picture while signing, he didn't want people to "authenticate" his word not mine, so they could sell it later. The highlight for me was talking to Jerry Browne a Nats coach and former Marlin

 

I was actually the first person of that group to get his autograph. He did not personalize the one card he signed for me, strangely. I even got a full-name signature instead of the usual shortened one. But he was complaining the whole time.

 

I watched him pitch, he's still pretty rusty from what I could tell. The fastball was blowing by players, but his other pitches were not working very well. I still think he's going to need a few months in AAA before he's ready for MLB pitching.

 

I understand he was getting on a plane to head over to Arizona for the Arizona Fall League that starts on Tuesday.

I came over late, after he had been signing, he asked to the few ahead of me who to make it out to. I just handed him a ball and was going to take his picture when he was done signing when he put his hand in front of my lens and said no pictures while signing and gave his little not wanting it authenticated?!??! So I then I threw him a curve ball and asked him to go ahead and personalize it if he was concerned about me selling it.