Strasburg not to pitch for the Nats in 2009

According to Jeff Passan, Mike Rizzo has indicated that regardless of performance, Steven Strasburg will not pitch in the majors for the Nationals in 2009. 

“I don’t see that in this year’s draft,” Rizzo said. “It’s such an acclimation process for a pitcher to go through, and it’s so very, very difficult, I just can’t see someone doing it.” Rizzo said to Passan.

This is probably a good thing. Why rush the teams future on to a team that can’t win right now anyways? Let him develop a little bit, protect his arm as it will probably be tired after a long college season, and let 2010 be Strasburgs rise to power.