<p>Dan Straily</p>

OAKLAND, Calif. The Oakland Athletics called up right-hander Dan Straily, who has more strikeouts than any other pitcher in professional baseball, to start today against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Straily, a Pendleton native, has 175 strikeouts in 138 1-3 innings while splitting time between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Sacramento this season. Thats 21 more strikeouts than major league leader Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals.

I think were all excited to watch him pitch, As manager Bob Melvin said before Thursdays game vs. the Blue Jays. Guys like that you find a way to get into the rotation. Ive seen the video, Ive seen the numbers and everybody is real excited, Tomorrow will be a very good day because of it a lot of hype, and rightfully so.

The 23-year-old has a 2.60 ERA in 22 minor league games but its the strikeout numbers that have the As buzzing.

Straily recorded 108 strikeouts in 85 1-3 innings for Midland before getting promoted to the Sacramento.

He added another 67 strikeouts and allowed only eight earned runs in 53 innings there and had just finished charting pitches for a teammate when he was notified of the pending move up to the majors by River Cats manager Darren Bush.

I sat there stunned, Straily said. I honestly dont think I said a word. Its just been kind of a whirlwind the last 20 hours.

Straily, who once played summer ball in San Jose about 30 minutes south of the Oakland Coliseum, was in the As clubhouse before the game but wont officially be added to the 40-man roster until Friday.

Thats when hell replace left-hander Travis Blackley in Oaklands rotation and make his first major league start. He will become the fifth rookie pitcher to start a game this season for the As.

Straily doesnt have an overpowering fastball he averages between 90-92 mph but complements it with a slider and changeup that helped the fourth-round pick in 2009 quickly move through the As farm system.

What the organization has done very well this year is to target guys and not be afraid to get them here while theyre hot, Melvin said. The numbers would suggest hes a power pitcher but at times he can pitch to contact, too.

Strailys first order of business was trying to get enough tickets to Fridays game. His fiance, Amanda Miller, is with him in Oakland and several other members of his family are expected to make the trip.

Its pretty shocking news to be honest, Straily said. I feel honored to be brought up, I really do. This is the career goal, to be here.