Making the rounds right now is the news that Stephen Strasburg will likely have to undergo Tommy John surgery, meaning he would miss the rest of 2010, but also all of 2011. This is bad not just for Strasburg and the Nationals, but for baseball as well. The most hyped prospect since, well, another pitcher who will show up on this list, he was set for great things.
Instead, we are left wondering if he will be the same after his injury. This is not an uncommon occurrence, sadly. Many pitchers started off with amazing careers, only to befall injury and have to retire early, or perhaps worse, pitch on as a shell of their former selves. Ten pitchers in this list had great starts to their careers, but fizzled out quickly due to various reasons.
It’s a list that Strasburg, we are all hoping, will not end up on.