The San Diego State baseball program is welcoming one of its most iconic alumni back home. Former Washington Nationals ace and 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg has officially joined the Aztecs as a special assistant to head coach Kevin Vance, marking a homecoming nearly two decades in the making.
The school announced the move on Monday, revealing that Strasburg will take on a multifaceted role that extends far beyond just pitching. According to the press release, Strasburg “will lend his support to all aspects of the Aztec baseball program, including fundraising and special events, along with alumni and donor relations. In addition, he will serve as a team mentor to improve the student-athlete experience, while offering assistance in pitching development.”
For San Diego State, this is more than just an alumni hire—it’s the return of one of college baseball’s most dominant pitchers, a player who helped put the program on the national map before becoming one of Major League Baseball’s premier talents.
A Homegrown Legend Returns to His Roots
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Strasburg’s journey to baseball greatness began just minutes away from the SDSU campus. His story has always been tied closely to the city. Long before he became a household name in the majors, Strasburg was a young pitcher who developed under the legendary Tony Gwynn, the late Hall of Famer and longtime San Diego Padres outfielder who later became the face of Aztec baseball.
From 2007 to 2009, Strasburg dominated college competition with a mix of power, precision, and poise rarely seen at the amateur level. His fastball routinely touched triple digits, and his performances were must-see events for scouts and fans alike. Under Gwynn’s mentorship, Strasburg evolved from a lightly recruited high school prospect into the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, selected by the Washington Nationals.
Now, 16 years later, Strasburg is coming full circle—returning to the place where his legendary career began, not as a player but as a mentor and ambassador for the next generation of Aztecs.
A Stellar MLB Career Cut Short by Injury
Over 13 big-league seasons with the Washington Nationals (2010–2022), Strasburg built a résumé worthy of Cooperstown consideration. He compiled a 113–62 record, a 3.24 ERA, and 1,723 strikeouts across 247 starts. He was a three-time All-Star, a World Series MVP, and one of the defining pitchers of his era when healthy.
His crowning achievement came in the 2019 postseason, when Strasburg led the Nationals to their first-ever World Series title. He went 5–0 with a 1.98 ERA in the playoffs, including two masterful starts against the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic. His performance in Game 6 of that series—eight and one-third innings of dominant, gutsy pitching—cemented his place in baseball history.
But injuries, particularly nerve damage in his throwing arm, derailed what could have been an even more prolific career. After signing a massive seven-year, $245 million extension with the Nationals in late 2019, Strasburg made only eight starts over the next three seasons. Eventually, the toll of repeated surgeries forced him to step away from the game he loved.
At just 37 years old, his playing career may have ended sooner than expected, but his passion for baseball—and for San Diego State—never faded.
Giving Back to the Program That Shaped Him
By joining San Diego State as a special assistant, Strasburg isn’t just lending his name or legacy; he’s bringing invaluable experience to every level of the program. His new role will span multiple departments—mentorship, player development, fundraising, and alumni engagement—making him an integral figure in the Aztecs’ future.
Head coach Kevin Vance couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about Strasburg’s return.
“Stephen Strasburg is arguably the best pitcher in college baseball history, but what makes this announcement so special is how much he cares about this program, this city, and giving back to the game,” Vance said in a statement. “He’s a proud Aztec and San Diegan, and he’s never forgotten his roots.”
For Vance, this partnership represents the merging of past excellence with future promise. Strasburg’s insight into what it takes to succeed at both the collegiate and professional levels can help mold the next wave of San Diego State players into not just elite athletes but complete competitors.
Strasburg’s focus will be on ensuring players have access to the same kind of environment that once allowed him to thrive under Tony Gwynn.
“Stephen didn’t arrive on The Mesa as the individual we know today; he earned it through hard work, competing in a great culture and program built by Tony Gwynn,” Vance added. “He wants to help give our players the same opportunity and environment to grow. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back home to SDSU baseball.”
The Legacy of Tony Gwynn Lives On
Strasburg’s connection to Tony Gwynn remains a cornerstone of his personal and professional identity. Gwynn, who coached the Aztecs from 2003 until his passing in 2014, had an immeasurable impact on countless players—but none more so than Strasburg.
When Strasburg arrived at SDSU as a freshman, he was far from the flame-throwing ace the world would come to know. He was overweight, lacked conditioning, and wasn’t even guaranteed a starting role. It was Gwynn who believed in him, pushed him, and helped him harness his potential. By his junior year, Strasburg was a national sensation, winning both the Golden Spikes Award (given to the nation’s best amateur player) and the Dick Howser Trophy (awarded to college baseball’s top overall player).
Now, as Strasburg returns to the very program Gwynn built, his presence serves as a bridge between eras—a living continuation of the values and standards that Gwynn instilled.
A decorated college career honored once again
Strasburg’s collegiate dominance has continued to earn recognition long after his final pitch in an Aztec uniform. Earlier this year, he was named to the 2025 College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class, an honor that cements his status as one of the greatest to ever play the college game.
During his three years at San Diego State, Strasburg rewrote the school’s record books and left a trail of awe-inspiring performances. His ability to overpower hitters and maintain pinpoint command made him nearly untouchable. Scouts routinely filled the stands for his starts, and his outings became campus events.
His impact extended beyond statistics—it helped elevate San Diego State into the national conversation, inspiring a generation of West Coast pitchers to view the program as a legitimate path to stardom.
Now, by joining the staff, Strasburg has an opportunity to give back to that same community that believed in him from the beginning.
Building for the Future
San Diego State baseball is in the midst of a period of growth, both competitively and culturally. With Kevin Vance entering his second year as head coach, the program is focused on strengthening its recruiting pipeline and improving player development resources. The addition of a figure like Strasburg adds credibility and excitement that few programs can match.
His presence will likely help with recruiting, as young pitchers eager to learn from an MLB World Series MVP will see San Diego State as a destination where development and opportunity intersect. Strasburg’s experience working with elite-level coaches, medical teams, and front offices during his MLB career gives him insight into the holistic preparation needed to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
He’ll also play a key role in alumni and donor engagement, a crucial aspect of sustaining long-term program success. His star power and connection to the San Diego community can help bring new energy to fundraising and outreach efforts, strengthening the bond between the university, its former players, and local supporters.
A Symbolic Full-Circle Moment
For Strasburg, this isn’t just a professional appointment—it’s a deeply personal return. After years spent in the national spotlight, he’s coming home to a place that represents both his beginnings and his values. His story is one of perseverance, transformation, and gratitude—a player who went from unheralded college recruit to MLB superstar, and now, to mentor and ambassador.
It’s also a full-circle moment for San Diego baseball. From Tony Gwynn’s influence to Strasburg’s rise, the city has produced some of the game’s most respected figures. Now, their legacies intertwine once again, with Strasburg poised to help shape the next era of Aztec baseball excellence.
Though his career on the mound ended earlier than anyone hoped, Strasburg’s passion for the game remains as strong as ever. His new chapter at San Diego State ensures that his impact on baseball—and on the lives of young athletes—will continue for years to come.
As Vance aptly put it, “He’s a proud Aztec and San Diegan, and he’s never forgotten his roots.”
Now, those roots are stronger than ever, planted firmly back where everything began—on The Mesa, at San Diego State University.
