Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg to pitch in Arizona Fall League

PHOENIX -- Just days after he signed a record-breaking contract, Stephen Strasburg is going to work for the Washington Nationals.

Well, sort of.

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Strasburg was one of four 2009 first-round draft choices selected to play in the Arizona Fall League. Rosters were announced Tuesday.

A 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander with a fastball that can reach 100 mph, Strasburg -- the top pick in the June amateur draft -- agreed last week to a contract with the Nationals that guarantees him $15.1 million over four years.

Strasburg will be joined in Arizona on the Phoenix Desert Dogs roster with Drew Soren, a right-hander who was the 10th overall pick of the June amateur draft. No. 2 pick Dustin Ackley of the Seattle Mariners and No. 7 pick Mike Minor of the Atlanta Braves also will play in Arizona.

Strasburg pitched for San Diego State but has essentially been idle since the end of the college season in the spring.

His major league debut is expected at some point in 2010.

"The big things is not to rush things," Strasburg said last week at his introductory news conference at Nationals Park. "It's their decision, and I understand it completely."

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