Strasburg promoted to Syracuse

Stephen Strasburg is one step closer to pitching in Washington. In an expected move today, the Nationals promoted right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg to Triple-A Syracuse. He will join Drew Storen who was promoted on Thursday.

Strasburg is slated to make his Triple-A debut on Friday, when the Chiefs host the Gwinnett Braves at Alliance Bank Stadium.

The first-overall selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft went 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in five starts with Double-A Harrisburg. Strasburg recorded 27 strikeouts and just six walks in 22.0 innings of work. He posted a 4.5/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and averaged 11.05 strikeouts per 9.0 innings–tops in Eastern League.

Strasburg, 21, ranked among the Eastern League’s top pitchers in several categories: 27 strikeouts (first), 0.86 WHIP (second), 8.18 baserunners per 9.0 innings (second), .165 batting average against (third) and 1.64 ERA (fourth).