Smokin' rookie ace Stephen Strasburg pitches for the Harrisburg Senators

Stephen Strasburg, the right-handed pitcher from San Diego State who was the overall number one draft pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Washington Nationals organization made his first home start for the clubs AA organization, the Harrisburg Senators on Friday, April 16th in front of a record crowd of 7,895. The start was delayed over two hours due to severe weather and a complete power outage that left everyone in the stadium in complete darkness. Though after a two plus hour delay, Strasburg took the mound.

Below, Strasburg walks to the bullpen to warm up prior to the start of the game.

Once done warming up, Stephen Strasburg (37) and catcher Jhonatan Solano (20) walk to the dugout in anticipation of the start of the game. Little did they know the start would be more than two plus hours away.

During the rain delay, myself and a few other photographs ran for cover behind the Senators dugouts that was shielded by the bleachers above us. It was raining so hard at times that the water founds its way through the steel bleachers and into our area, so we continuously had to move our gear in order to keep it dry. During this time Strasburg would pop his head out of the clubhouse, but once one of us would bring our cameras up, he'd dart back inside.

Anyways, once the storm finally moved out and the power came back on, Stephen Strasburg took to the mound.

Below, Strasburg fires a pitch to the plate.

After firing off a few shots of him pitching, I through on a special effects filter to incorporate the stadium lights.

After shooting the first inning from the third base photo well, I moved above to get a different perspective.

In the third inning, the rain intensified and the umpire delayed the game sending both teams to their designated dugouts. This was the end of the night for Strasburg. The stadium cleared out very quickly and only a few returned when playing resumed hours later.

Stephen Strasburg made his second home start for the organization on Wednesday, April 21st against the Reading Phillies. Again, rain was in the forecast. 

My goal on this day was to get as many shots at many different angles of him as he pitched. I knew it was going to be a bit repetitive just focusing on one player, but I just went with it.

Below, Strasburg warms up in the outfield prior to the game.

Upon media starting to gather, he headed off to the bullpen to continue warming up.

As Strasburg and the crew headed towards the dugout, I fired off the shot below.

Upon the completion of the national anthem, I stood behind home plate as he warmed up. Below, are a few of Strasburg warming up.

I then moved over the the third base well to get a few shots from this angle. Below are a few of these images.

After one inning, I moved since I spent most of the other evening shooting from the third base well, so I needed some other angles of Strasburg. I headed over to the first base photo well where I was able to get a few of him resting in the dugout with teammates.

Below, Strasburg chats with catcher Sean Rooney between innings.

Below, are a few more shots of Strasburg from the first base photo well has he pitches in the second inning.

I then headed behind the Senators dugout as Strasburg was due up to bat. Below, Strasburg steps up to the plate to bat. 

Unfortunately, he was going to bunt in order to advance the runner on first.

Below, Senators manager Randy Knorr, left, chats with pitcher Stephen Strasburg after being stranded on base.

For the third inning, I stayed in the same location. Below are a few of those images.

For the fourth inning, I moved behind home plate to incorporate Strasburg firing his 98 MPH fastball to the Reading Phillies batters.

For the fifth inning, I went just below the suite level in the ball park to get a nice clean shot of just Stephen Strasburg and the green infield green framing the pitchers mound.

Overall, I was very impressed with Stephen Strasburg's pitching abilities. I've been to a lot of baseball games over the years, but have never heard the catchers mitt pop as much as it did with Stephen Strasburg on the mound. This game against the Reading Phillies, Strasburg allowed only one hit and one walk in five innings with six strikeouts. Strasburg is scheduled to start again on Monday, April 26th in Reading, PA against the Reading Phillies and his next home game appearance should be Sunday, May 2nd.