The latest issue of Sports Illustrated gives about a dozen different perspectives from first round pitching phenoms. With Stephen Strasburg being the first pick this year, guys like Tim Belcher, Andy Benes, Floyd Bannister, and Mark Prior give their takes on the pressures of being The Next Big Thing: "The Hype", "The Expectations", "The Show", "The Fall", and "The Aftermath". Here's what Prior said:

The Show - When I got called up, I was replacing a guy who was 1--7, and Don Baylor was getting fired and we were on our way to losing 95 games. Joe Girardi was my catcher and he said, "Be professional, know your job, know your responsibilities on the field and off." My transition happened so fast, I don't think I appreciated what it took to get there.

The Fall - Injuries make you look at the big picture, at what it means to be in the major leagues. It's not like I was one of those guys who was drafted high and never made it or barely made it. I made it, performed at a high level and because of injuries wasn't able to maintain that level.

The Aftermath - Unfortunately, there's no timetable for my return right now. It's good, it's bad, it's rehab. The Padres are giving me the time I need. The more I'm away from the game, the more I appreciate the intricacies of it. That's what I miss. I miss watching guys and knowing, 'This is what I would do in that situation.' I just want to play again.

Dan