The hype behind this kid sure sounds a lot like the Kerry Wood hype back in the day....or Joba Chamberlain....or Phil Hughes....time will tell, i guess. Baseball fans are already dubbing it 'Super Tuesday,' as one of the most heralded prospects in a generation prepares to make his major league debut. Despite never throwing a pitch in anger above Triple-A, 21-year old Stephen Strasburg is already a very familiar name to those who follow the game closely. Strasburg first came to international attention when he was the only NCAA player selected to join the U.S. team's entry at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He was stellar in his Olympic debut, one-hitting the Netherlands while striking out 11 batters over seven innings. The flamethrower would go on to cement his legacy at San Diego State University, where he would capture both the Golden Spikes award as the top amateur player and the Dick Howser Trophy for college baseball's player of the year in 2009. With his position as the top pick in the MLB draft secure, Strasburg added the cherry atop his horsehide sundae by picking up his first career no-hitter in his final home game, striking out 17 Air Force Falcons in the process. Following lengthy contract negotiations - courtesy of Strasberg's super agent Scott Boras - the phenom signed a deal in excess of $15 million with the Washington Nationals after being selected first overall in last year's MLB draft. While a lofty draft position paired with a ridiculous amount of hype is generally a recipe for disaster, the San Diego native has not disappointed. He already sports an impressive arsenal of weapons including a devastating curveball and a heater that touches 100 miles per hour on the gun. While he has less than two months of minor league service, he appears to be more than ready for 'the show.' In 33.1 innings of AAA ball with the Syracuse Chiefs, Strasburg posted a 4-1 record with an impressive 1.08 ERA, striking out 38 batters while walking just seven. It is no wonder that his debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday sold out quickly. The only possible comparison to the buildup surrounding Strasburg's debut would be that of LeBron James entering the NBA in 2003. Considering the lack of good baseball news from D.C. over the past few years, you can hardly fault the Nationals for being so excited to reveal the new face of the franchise. That being said, they will do their best to protect their investment. Strasburg is penciled in to the Nats rotation every fifth day, and they will limit him to either six innings or 95 pitches per game. The question now is how will a 21-year old adjust to the every day pressures of the major leagues considering how great the expectations on him are. The history of professional sports is littered with one-time, can't miss prospects who did. Whether it be David Clyde, Alexandre Daigle or Todd Marinovich, the pressures that these players faced living up to the hype eventually overwhelmed them. So far, Strasburg has done a phenomenal job at dealing with the expectations and all signs point towards a lengthy and successful major league career. The first step of which begins Tuesday in Washington.