Washington Nationals: Pitcher Stephen Strasburg grew into an ace this season

The 2017 season ended poorly for the Washington Nationals with another National League Division Series loss. Before it all came crashing down, starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg grew into a true ace.

Behind the terrific offense and the Cy Young performance of Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg had an incredible 2017 campaign. Not many seemed to take notice. When all of the numbers were calculated following game 162, it’s pretty clear that this was a special year.

The 29-year-old Strasburg pitched his way to his second straight 15-4 season. Although this matched his 2016 record, Strasburg made vast improvements elsewhere.

Most notably, Strasburg posted a career-best 2.52 ERA. For those modern statisticians who don’t favor ERA, his league-leading 2.72 FIP should convince you that he was pretty stellar. Plus, he also allowed only 0.7 home runs per nine in a year where everyone was giving up four-base hits. Like his FIP, this number was good enough to lead the league.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

No matter what you think of any statistic, Strasburg had enough good ones to please everyone.

Still, Strasburg didn’t get the credit he deserved. The Nationals had far too many distractions with injuries to just about everyone. Bullpen woes also threatened the spotlight.

Thankfully, while many focused elsewhere, Strasburg did his job better than ever. He took the mound, gave the Nationals a chance to win, and turned in the best performance he could.

A great example of exactly how much better this year went than any other comes from Strasburg’s WAR. The Nationals’ star finished the season with a 6.5 WAR. His previous best in any season came in 2014 when he ended the year with 3.5 WAR. That year he led the league in strikeouts and looked ready to lead the Nationals deep into October.

Strasburg did another important thing this year. Unlike many other seasons in the past, he stayed pretty healthy. Strasburg made 28 starts for the Nationals. For a guy who failed to reach 25 starts in each of the last two seasons, this is a major victory. It also bodes well for the Nationals future. With the lengthy contract extension they awarded him last year in mind, it looks like it was the right decision.

Next: Mets season review, offseason preview

Unfortunately, the performance won’t land Strasburg the Cy Young award. Scherzer stayed healthier and put up superior numbers where it counts: strikeouts and innings pitched. This shouldn’t take away from anything that Strasburg accomplished. Even if he’s merely the team’s co-ace with Scherzer, he officially transitioned into becoming the “A-word” this year: an ace.