The Promise of Rick Porcello

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 24, 2009 11:00 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

As a Tigers blogger and fan (I don't think they're always the same thing), I'm trying not to get too excited about Rick Porcello. It's not that I don't want to hear how he's impressing coaches, teammates, and observers. And I definitely look forward to the day he takes the mound wearing the Olde English D.

It's more like I know - or at least, I'm telling myself - that Porcello not going to be part of the 25-man roster that debuts in Toronto the first week of April. And I'm trying to worship at the Church of What's Happenin' Now, if you know what I mean.

However, when I see Tim Brown fawning over him in his column for Yahoo! Sports, wondering if the Tigers might have no other choice than to add him to the starting rotation... well, my right knee starts bobbing up and down. And I can't stop it.

Porcello throws right-handed and, considering his body can only now be peaking at 6-foot-5, with uncommon ease. His four-seam fastball runs in the mid-90s and reliably to the mitt. In 125 Class A innings over his only professional summer, Porcello commanded four pitches, including the one everyone adores, a heavy two-seamer. He showed up to his second camp pounding both sides of the plate with all of them, drawing sighs from hitters and there-you-go’s from catcher Matt Treanor.

In six weeks, if this is truly who Porcello is, and if last season’s starting rotation is still what it was, the Tigers will have their answer.

Obviously, if Porcello is one of the best starting pitchers in camp, the Tigers will be faced with a problem. But it'd be the nicest kind of problem to have.

And there's certainly nothing wrong with beat writers and national reporters coming to Lakeland, and being impressed by a 20-year-old phenom who's apparently making hitters look silly in batting practice. But it all makes me want to push my hands to the ground and tell everyone to simma down now.

Is this silly of me or do I just need to embrace the promise of future greatness, one that seems to be steaming toward us like a freight train?

(via Big League Stew)

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I would prefer that he really be that good.

Mostly because I think that if the Tigers are slumping post-ASB, and attendance is down, I think they’ll bring him up as a gate draw whether he’s ready or not. I prefer that he not get blown out in his first start. Perhaps I should take my cynicism meds.

I don't want to hear any weak sh*t from Jason Grilli.

by cherub_daemon on Feb 24, 2009 11:41 AM EST reply actions

I think I’d rather have D-Train (or, God forbid, Nate) performing well enough to be the #5 starter out of camp and then have Porcello ready to come up in case of injury.

by Jerkwheat on Feb 24, 2009 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Porcello

If I had to guess, Porcello could be the next phenom of spring training and he won’t go north with the Tigers.

He has had ONE professional season (Class A no less) and needs a little more seasoning in the minors before he starts facing the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox.

Now I can see a scenario where he starts at Double-A, makes the move to Triple-A by May 1 and is in Detroit around June 1. Especially if the #5 starter (whoever wins the job) is struggling.

by Todd1005fm on Feb 24, 2009 11:58 AM EST reply actions

Porcello

I think everyone does need to simma down—he needs more time to develop, don’t rush him and ruin him, please.

by VivaTigres on Feb 24, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions

Simma down now!

Bless You Boys

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 24, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

From what I’ve seen, Willis has made incredible strides. While I’m looking for the next Verlander just as hard as the next guy, the Tigers decimated their farm system over the past couple off seasons (for good, I believe, in the end). Let Porcello develop in the minor leagues. Made a midseason call-up if someone gets injured, I don’t know. I just don’t want to see him crash and burn against experienced AL (Central) hitters when the season gets a little bit tough.

If he’s ready, fantastic. I don’t want to see the media essentially campaign for it.

by john.kmiecik on Feb 24, 2009 9:18 PM EST reply actions