Aztec Legend Stephen Strasburg Joins SDSU Baseball Staff

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State baseball program welcomed back a legendary alumnus on Monday when Aztec head coach Kevin Vance announced the hiring of Stephen Strasburg as the team’s special assistant to the head coach.

One of SDSU’s most celebrated former student-athletes, Strasburg is a former World Series Most Valuable Player who was named to the 2025 College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class last June.

In his role, Strasburg will lend his support to the Aztec baseball program, including fundraising and special events, along with alumni and donor relations. In addition, he will serve as a team mentor to improve the student-athlete experience, while offering assistance in pitching development.

"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. “He’s a proud Aztec and San Diegan, and he’s never forgotten his roots. 

“Stephen didn't arrive on The Mesa as the individual we know today; he earned it through hard work, competing in a great culture and program built by Tony Gwynn. He wants to help give our players the same opportunity and environment to grow. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back home to SDSU baseball.”

In 2009, Strasburg won the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award and was named National Pitcher of the Year by College Baseball Foundation. He was also presented with the Dick Howser Trophy that season, the equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy, signifying the nation’s most outstanding collegiate baseball player.

In addition, Strasburg was a consensus first-team All-America selection in both 2008 and 2009 and garnered Mountain West Pitcher of the Year accolades in each of those seasons.

During his three years at San Diego State from 2007-09, Strasburg set school records for most strikeouts in a game (23), season (195) and career (375). Strasburg also holds the school record for the lowest career ERA of 1.59 and tied the program's standard for most victories in a season with 13 as a junior in 2009.

During his junior campaign, Strasburg was selected to the CBF National Team of the Week four times before capping it off with a no-hitter in his final collegiate home appearance. That season, he struck out 195 hitters against a mere 11 walks in 109 innings pitched, leading the Aztecs to their first NCAA Regional appearance in 18 years.

As a sophomore in 2008, Strasburg was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on three occasions and was the only collegiate player on the bronze medal-winning U.S. Olympic team.

“To have someone of Stephen’s stature, who chooses to give back to our players and program, says everything you need to know about who he is and what his values are,” Vance said. 

Following his career on The Mesa, Strasburg was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Washington Nationals. Strasburg pitched for the Nationals from 2010-22, earning All-Star Game nods in 2012, 2016 and 2017, before collecting MVP honors at the 2019 World Series.

Strasburg was inducted into the Aztec Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.