June 13, 2009
OMAHA, Neb. - San Diego State Aztec pitcher Stephen Strasburg, already known as the nation's top baseball prospect, today was named the recipient of the inaugural Pitcher of the Year Award by the College Baseball Foundation. In addition, the junior right-hander has been selected one of three finalists for the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy awarded to the nation's top college player.
The Pitcher of the Year Award will be presented officially at 7 p.m. on July 2 at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the inaugural College Baseball Awards Show, which will recognize the top players in the 2009 college baseball season. The winner of the Dick Howser Trophy will also be revealed at that event.
"I am very honored to be named Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation," Strasburg said. "I'm also very honored to be recognized as a San Diego State University Aztec player and pitcher. I'm looking forward to visiting Lubbock to be part of the Awards Show."
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander won 13 consecutive decisions in posting a 13-1 record in 15 starts. The highlight of the season came in Strasburg's first career no-hitter on May 8 against Air Force, in which he struck out 17. It was a fitting performance in his final home game. For the season, Strasburg led the nation with a 1.32 ERA and 195 strikeouts, against 19 walks in 109 innings. He allowed only 65 hits and opponents hit just .172 with four home runs against him.
Also a finalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, the SDSU hurler dominated the Mountain West Conference in '09. In round-robin league play, he was 7-0 with 111 strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in eight starts. The 2008 USA Baseball Player of the Year for all divisions, Strasburg was the first selection Tuesday in the Major League Baseball free agent draft by the Washington Nationals.
The Dick Howser Trophy is a national sponsorship that was created on behalf of Dick Howser to promote baseball excellence and scholastic achievement for collegiate baseball. As the baseball equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, the Dick Howser Trophy is the annual national award for the outstanding collegiate baseball player. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) votes for the recipient based on nominees' performance, character, leadership and courage - all features to be emulated in memory of the late Dick Howser.
The 2009 season marks the 23rd annual presentation of the Dick Howser Trophy, which traditionally has been presented in Omaha, Neb., around the NCAA World Series and at campus sites during the autumn following spring awards. Voting for the Dick Howser Trophy has been conducted by the NCBWA membership since 1999.
The winner's name is inscribed on the permanent trophy, a bronze bust of Howser displayed at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg - home of the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays and the 1999 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four - along with several other locations. Both the winner and his school receive a special trophy to keep.