Oct 16, 2009 8:06 AM EST

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to pitch in Arizona on Friday.

The first overall pick in June's MLB Draft, Strasburg signed a four-year, $15.1 million deal with Washington.

Strasburg told the Chicago Tribune that he is looking forward to "being able to pitch in a game with a little bit on the line. It's been a long time since I've been able to do that. To be out here and be playing against some pretty good competition, I'm excited about that and to see what I can do."

The Tribune speculates that Strasburg could be a part of Washington's starting rotation to begin the 2010 season.

Via Chicago Tribune