Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals World Series champion pitcher and former No. 1 draft pick, has joined his alma mater San Diego State as an assistant coach, the program announced.
Strasburg, who last pitched for the Nationals in 2022, will serve as a special assistant to Aztecs head coach Kevin Vance, according to a news release. In his role, he will support SDSU’s baseball program in pitching development, as well as fundraising, special events, and alumni and donor relations.
Strasburg pitched three seasons at SDSU from 2007-09, where he set school records for lowest career ERA (1.59), and most strikeouts in a game (23), season (195) and career (375). He also tied SDSU’s record with 13 wins in his junior season and threw a no hitter in his final home start for the Aztecs. He won both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy in his junior season.
“This place is near and dear to my heart,” Strasburg said, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. “My parents are alumni. I’m an alumni. It feels like I was pitching out there at Tony Gwynn Stadium just yesterday.”
After a storied collegiate career at SDSU, Strasburg was drafted first overall by the Nationals in the 2009 MLB Draft. He played his entire 13-year MLB career with Washington from 2010-22, earning three All-Star selections and helping lead the Nats to winning the 2019 World Series. He was named the World Series MVP after going 2-0 in two starts with a 2.51 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched.
“Stephen Strasburg is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball history, but what makes this announcement so special is how much he cares about this program, this city, and giving back to the game,” Vance said in the release. “He’s a proud Aztec and San Diegan, and he’s never forgotten his roots.
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