Is Stephen Strasburg the next Roy Halladay?

Stephen Strasburg is the top pitcher in all of the minor leagues. Hands down.

This is the first time in recent memory that a consensus number one pick has instantly become the top professional pitcher in all of the minor leagues. He has only reaffirmed his top seed by improving to 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA and 17 strike outs to just 3 walks. His control is just as good as it was in college, where he struck out 375 to just 50 walks over three seasons.

At 6-foot-4, Strasburg over powers hitters with his fastball and biting slider. His approach on the mound is incredibly advanced, and strikingly similar to Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. Halladay was nothing but consistent in the minors, all the way up to the pros until he earned a full time job.

He has impeccable control over his fastball, and solid control over his secondary pitches, which has lead to a solid 4-0 start with a 0.82 ERA and 28 strike outs to just 3 walks. The 6-foot-6 right hander relies on his deceptive windup and overpowering fastball to overwhelm hitters. And so far, it is working to a point.

If the injury to Jason Marquis of the Nationals turns out to be long-term, the Nationals should seriously consider putting him on the fast track to the big leagues. Limit his innings to somewhere around 150 or so and let's see what he can do. The Nationals are not going to be contenders for some time, but putting the best team out on the field may improve their chances and create some buzz in D.C.