"There's nothing heavier than the burden of a great potential."A little more than 20 years ago, I wrote a story about former Pitt offensive lineman Tom Ricketts, who the Steelers selected with their second first-round pick in 1989, which they acquired in a trade with Minnesota.The point I was making was about the pressure of being a local player taken in the first round.My editor decided to revamp my lead, using a Peanuts comic strip panel in which the last box expressed those words of wisdom.I don't know if the late, great Charles Schulz came up with that gem or if it's been passed down through the years, but there is a lot of truth in those 10 words.Fast forward to this year, when Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg has proved to be nothing short of amazing in his three starts.He struck out 14 batters and walked none in seven innings in his major-league debut against the Pirates (a 5-2 win), then fanned eight and walked five in a 9-4 triumph against Cleveland.On Friday, he struck out 10 Chicago White Sox hitters in a 2-1 Nationals loss, but he wasn't involved in the decision.All told, he's allowed four runs on 10 hits in 9Z\c innings with 32 strikeouts, five walks and a 1.86 ERA.So far, Strasburg has more than lived up to expectations.That's great. Good for him. Being the No. 1 player in the 2009 draft, he was viewed as the can't-miss player coming out of San Diego State.This season, he had an easy go of it in the minor leagues before his promotion and showed he was worth the his four-year, $15 million contract.The only question is how high is the ceiling for Strasburg? Are we looking at the beginning of a Hall of Fame career, as some baseball analysts have said, or someone who could fizzle?With a fastball that clocks consistently between 98 and 100 mph and an amazing curveball and change-up, the answer is the former — right now.Strasburg is only 21, so his arm is young and lively. If he stays healthy, he could have a nice run through his career. If he's beset by injuries, which have ruined many careers, you never know.Remember the Dodgers' Fernando Valenzuela? In 1981, he turned baseball on its head with his amazing performances, particularly in the first half. He went on to post 150 career wins but never again pitched as well as he did that rookie year.How about the Mets' Dwight Gooden? As a rookie in 1984, he went 17-9 with 276 strikeouts. The following year, he went 24-4 with 268 strikeouts, a 1.53 ERA and 16 complete games.After that remarkable season, Mets announcer Tim McCarver quipped that Gooden will never be that good again.He was right. It's hard to maintain that level in a career.Neither of those can't-miss players made it to Cooperstown.Let's temper the outrageous expectations. A typical Washington greeting is to wish you a Merry Strasmas.That's a burden one player shouldn't have to carry.Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.