Drew Storen Freed!

(Video above, Drew Storen warming up for AAA Syracuse on May 12.)

Nationals to (finally) promote Drew Storen.

Here's a twist though, from Mark Zuckerman/Nats Insider:

Storen's promotion will come about two weeks before fellow first-round pick Stephen Strasburg's expected big-league debut, in part because club officials wanted to reward the reliever for signing immediately after the draft.Strasburg didn't sign his record $15.1 million contract until two minutes before the August 18 deadline.
(via Nats Insider, 5/15/2010)

Rewarding Storen and punishing Strasburg? Come on! We aren't buying that for a second, but it's a nice way for the Nationals to spin it and deflect any growing criticism that they're holding up Strasburg's debut for financial reasons, because the move will also likely cost the team some Lerner cash in the future (but not nearly as much as Strasburg would). We fully accept the fact that Strasburg would've been in the majors to start the 2010 season if not for the big bucks it will cost the Nationals down the road. See you in June, Baseball Jesus!

Anyway, Storen's call up is great news. And even better, it means the end of the Brian Bruney Era!

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Comments

[Mike]

Couldn't. Be. Happier.

Bye, bye Bruney and hello closer of the next decade!

[bdrube]

I checked Baseball Reference's draft page last night and Storen is the very first '09 first rounder to make his MLB debut.

Congrats, Drew!

And take THAT Aaron Crow. :)

[cass]

Actually, Mike Leake debuted at the start of the season for the Reds. He was the #8 pick over all, two slots ahead of Storen.

[Bote Man]

That is one messed up delivery. I thought Storen is supposed to be this impatient kid? I got a cup of coffee, took a shower, and checked the NL East standings in the time it took him to deliver the pitch.

Glad to see him get the call AND bump fuel-to-the-fire Bruney in the process.

[Harper Gordek]

Also on September 1st, Storen will get an ice cream cone while Strasburg has to sit in the corner.