Strasburg went to Santee, California’s West Hills High School. He struggled on the baseball team at first, finishing with a 1–10 win–loss record in his junior year.
Scouts took notice of Strasburg during a twelve-strikeout game against El Capitan High School in his senior year, in which he allowed only one hit.
With 74 strikeouts in 62+13 innings pitched and seven full games, he concluded his senior year with a 1.68 ERA with 74 strikeouts.
He earned three varsity letters, established school records in ERA and shutouts, and was voted Scholar-Athlete of the Year at his school in 2006.
He was also awarded MVP of his squad and second-team all-league. Despite his accomplishments, he was not taken in the Major League Baseball draft that year.
Strasburg applied to Stanford University but was denied admission. Despite being approached by a number of universities across the country, he chose to attend San Diego State University, where both of his parents were students.
He was a member of the San Diego State Aztecs, who were coached by Tony Gwynn, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Strasburg was an unusual choice to throw collegiate baseball when he first came; he was overweight and out of shape.
He was dubbed “Slothburg” by his conditioning coach, who persuaded him to retire from baseball. He also struggled to acclimatize to college life, moving out of his dorm and into his mother’s home after only five days.
Does Stephen Strasburg Have Any Kids?
Strasburg has two young girls, and the press and social media have never been allowed to see them.