Is Stephen Strasburg Baseball's Next Big Star?

June 8, 2010— -- Tonight, baseball's most eagerly awaited rookie debut lived up to the hype.

Even before Stephen Strasburg had played a single game in the big leagues, he'd already been called one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Pitching for the Washington Nationals at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates, it was Strasburg who drew the largest crowd of the year for the D.C.-based Nationals.

And it was Strasburg who, in his first ever major league game, struck out 14 batters, leading the Nationals to a 5-2 victory. In seven innings of work, he gave up just four hits and two runs.

The Strasburg phenomenon extends beyond baseball. He's been a one-man economic stimulus plan everywhere he has gone. He has played just 11 games in the minor leagues but has four wins, one loss and 38 strikeouts. In the past season he has earned a total ERA of 1.08.

While playing for San Diego State he became the first college player to be named to the U.S. team since the decision was made to use minor leaguers beginning in 2000. He struck out 180 batters in two seasons, which ranks him 15th on the San Diego Aztec all-time career list.

Drawing unprecedented crowds for the Nationals' minor league teams in Harrisburg, Pa., and Syracuse, N.Y. Strasberg has set more than just pitching records. And even as he played in the minors, Strasburg's #37 jersey became one of the top-selling jerseys in Washington at Nationals Park.

His autograph fetches nearly $200 on eBay and his one-of-kind rookie baseball card just sold for more than $16,000, which is also more than most Babe Ruth cards.

The Nationals paid $15 million to sign Strasburg after he graduated from San Diego State University last year. It was an unprecedented amount for an amateur baseball prospect.

ABC News caught up with Strasburg at one of his last minor league games with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs.

Fans started showing up hours before the game, eager to catch a glimpse of the guy with the 100-mile-an-hour fastball.

"I just want to see a $15 million arm," a young fan said. When asked what all the commotion was about, one father looked down at his son, "Tell him who's pitching?" His son looked up, "Strasburg," he replied.

Even though Strasburg has not started playing in the Major Leagues, he has managed to fill the stadium just by throwing warm-up pitches.