Jason Smith has been rubbing elbows with Stephen Strasburg.

Yes, that Stephen Strasburg. Smith is a member of the Gulf Coast League Nationals in Melbourne, Fla., where Strasburg, the first pick of the 2009 MLB draft, is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery he underwent last September.

“It’s been pretty cool to hang out with him everyday,” said Smith, a pitcher who is a Morrison High School graduate and Black Hawk College product who signed with the Nationals as a free agent shortly after the draft in early June. “He’s in the same locker room. It’s pretty neat to be around him. There’s a lot of media following him.”

Strasburg will be back in the major leagues, possibly later this season, if his recovery goes according to plan. Smith is a long way from the majors, but he’s off to a solid start to his pro career.

In four games, all relief appearances, with the GCL Nationals, Smith has a sparkling 1.13 ERA. He has worked eight innings, including 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball on Tuesday.

Smith (0-0) has allowed six hits and one run. He has not issued a walk and has six strikeouts. Opponent are batting .207 against him.

“So far, so good,” Smith said. “It’s good to get off to a good start. It helps my confidence.”

Smith is also a long way from making big-league money.

“I’m making $1,200 a month,” he said. “But, they pay for hotels and food too.”

Strasburg isn’t the only big name Smith has crossed paths with. Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel was also in Melbourne rehabbing recently.

“He played with us a couple days,” Smith said. “It’s cool to see guys like that. It motivates you more.”

All of the GCL Nationals’ games are at 11 a.m. central time. Smith is settling into the daily routine.

“The pitchers start at about 7:30,” he said. “We do some running, then we eat breakfast. It’s all broke into sessions. We do a lot of work on fundamentals. A lot of it is stuff you’ve been taught your entire career. They just put their own spin on things.”

Smith indicated that there are not many fans at most of the GCL games.

“It’s more instructional,” he said. “Sometimes, when we play at a stadium, there are fans. But, when we just play at one of our other fields, there’s not any fans there. It’s still exciting, because every day counts. It means a lot to me.”

Smith is getting acclimated to summer in Florida.

“It’s really hot,” he said. “I’m getting used to it, but they say it’s going to get ever hotter.”

The GCL Nationals’ pitching coach is former major leaguer Michael Tejera, who played five big-league seasons with the Marlins and Rangers.