Two types of speed
How much better can he get?
Syracuse Chiefs pitcher Stephen Strasburg made his International League debut Friday, May 7, before nearly 14,000 baseball fans at Alliance Bank Stadium. He threw six innings and allowed the Gwinnett Braves only one hit, a softly bouncing grounder that skittered past shortstop Eric Bruntlett.
In his second appearance May 12 in front of a smaller mid-week crowd, Strasburg threw six innings and allowed NO hits against the Norfolk Tides. He’s now 2-0.
Against Gwinnett, he struck out six, mystifying several Braves with a sneaky curve after dazzling them with 97-mph heaters. Against Norfolk, he whiffed seven.
When it comes to improving his game, the 21-year-old rookie wastes no time. The California kid is on a mission that will take him to the major leagues next month when he’s expected to join the Washington Nationals.
The rangy right-hander with the filthy fastball was scheduled to pitch again May 18 in Rochester versus the Red Wings. That means Strasburg’s next home start would be at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 23, against the Toledo Mud Hens.
Strasburg’s final game for Syracuse might well be against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 29, also at Alliance Bank Stadium.
Speed bump
While Strasburg uses speed to confound opposing hitters, the Chiefs all-star infielder, Seth Bynum, was using speed to raise his energy level.
On May 13, Major League Baseball officials suspended Bynum for 50 games after he tested positive for Concerta, a stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a condition Bynum doesn’t have. That evening he drove home to Louisville, Ky.
Although shaken and upset about the situation, Bynum refused to blame anyone but himself and took full responsibility for making “a bad choice.” Chiefs’ manager Trent Jewett, who delivered the bad news to Bynum, called the test results “unfortunate.”
The 29-year-old utility infielder was hitting .248 with four home runs, eight doubles and 17 RBIs for Syracuse this season. He had made only one error in 29 games.
Last year, his first in Triple-A, Bynum earned a spot on the International League All-Star team.
The day after he left town Bynum told Chiefs broadcaster Jason Benetti that he hopes to rejoin the team soon to continue working out and practicing throughout his eight-week suspension.
The use of amphetamines by baseball players is nothing new. The practice dates back at least to the 1960s when pitcher Jim Bouton famously chronicled the use of “greenies” among major-leaguers.
Solid season so far
While Strasburg’s Syracuse stint will soon be over, the Chiefs should continue to generate excitement because this is the most competitive team we’ve seen here in recent history. Jewett’s ballplayers have won 20 and lost 14 so far, and — despite Strasburg’s planned absence and Bynum’s unplanned absence — the team remains strong both at bat and on the mound.
The Toledo Mud Hens, the top farm club of the Detroit Tigers, fly into ABS for a four-game series starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 22. Strasburg should pitch at 5 p.m. Sunday May 23, and the series concludes at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 24-25.
Tickets cost $11 for field-level seats, $8 for kids and seniors; $8 for second-tier seats, $4 for kids and seniors; and parking costs $4 per vehicle; 474-7833.
