A couple friends of mine sent me the same link today, a link introducing me to the most dominant pitcher I've ever seen. I've been watching and studying baseball closely for over fifteen years, and this kid has better stuff than any hurler to pass through the major leagues during that time period. Better than Tim Lincecum, better than "King" Felix Hernandez, better than Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson in their primes.

The funny thing is, this kid's in college. 

His name is Stephen Strasburg, and the big right-hander pitches for San Diego State University. He features a 97-103 MPH fastball, a devastating slider, and a vicious overhand curveball. He struck out 23 Division-1 hitters...in one game. 23. Of course, that total surpasses the big league record for a single game, 20, held by Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood. 

When Wood struck out 20 Astros in a game at Wrigley Field, I thought that was the greatest pitching highlight reel I'd ever see, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I was wrong. Wood was absolutely filthy in his prime, but Strasburg's stronger and more explosive.

It is at this time that I'd like to present you with the true "greateat pitching highlight reel" of all time. Enjoy this, kids -- it's Strasburg's 23 strikeout performance. Accompanying the video is a full-length article about the intimidating phenom, via Yahoo Sports.

After watching this astonishing little film, I wouldn't be surprised if your immediate reaction was the same as mine:

Why the hell is this kid still pitching in college?

What is he thinking? What is is family thinking? What is Scott Boras, his eventual agent, thinking?

Strasburg would be one of the premier pitchers in Major League Baseball, right now. He's not just a ruthless chucker like the Joel Zumaya's and Jason Motte's of the world; instead, this kid from San Diego State can pitch. He works both sides of the plate with his fastball, and he mixes in his slider and curve nicely. Both of his breaking balls are plus major league pitches.

So the point is, Strasburg shouldn't be wasting any of these bullets in collegiate baseball. Only bad things can come of this. A freak accident, a heart-breaking injury, or maybe simple fatigue. Why risk it? This kid has a better fastball than Nolan Ryan, and as good a slider as Brad Lidge.

Boras, talk some sense into him. He's already a shoe-in as the No. 1 overall pick in this year's major league draft, so why risk any possible damage to this golden arm?

There's absolutely no reason to.

Save yourself, Stephen. You want to have enough left in the tank to secure a spot in the Hall of Fame, right?

Well, if he stays healthy, that's where he's headed:

Cooperstown.  

("JFro," aka John Frascella, is the author of "Theo-logy: How a Boy Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land." It's the first full-length book centered on Boston Red Sox's popular general manager Theo Epstein. Preview it online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Borders. It's currently stocked in Barnes and Noble stores throughout the U.S. Also, check out John on Twitter.)