Stephen Strasburg

Well, that didn't take long. Hey, be happy we're learning about this now, as opposed to four weeks from now. Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman tipped his hand Tuesday -- and I think certainly helped fantasy baseball owners in the process -- when discussing the April destination for everyone's favorite pitching prospect, Stephen Strasburg.

"Spring training is great, but even as opposed to Double-A or Triple-A pitching, it's just not the same. When everything counts, records count and statistics count, regular season is just a different animal with a guy to go out there with the adrenaline throwing on both sides and the other team is trying to get you."

Got that? It's almost assured the kid with the 100 mph fastball will be starting the 2010 season in the minor leagues. This is hardly a surprise. It's the right move, and I applaud the Nationals when they officially make it. I've been discussing this for a few months, and getting odd stares and angry e-mails in the process, but this is yet another reason rookies are very dangerous and often trip people up in fantasy baseball drafts. See Matt Wieters from last season. You want Wieters now, but how many owners still feel burned by him? I for one took him on one of my fantasy teams. I think he will be up sooner than most folks think. Now if he was owned by a team with a slam dunk picthing staff or a team like, God Forbid the Yankees, than maybe it would be next year or the end of the season. But Washington, come on, give the kid a shot. You fantasy buffs have a great year.