Rick Porcello growing into a reliable starter – MLB Detroit Tigers News
The 2012 season is expected to be a tricky one for Rick Porcello, who put up a decent show in Detroit Tigers 3-1 win over Miami Marlins on Tuesday, March 7. The starter made his Major League Baseball debut four years ago and he has improved his game play
significantly since then. Although he is just 23 years old, he already has been arbitration eligible.
Not only he is one of the most promising youngsters in MLB world right now, Porcello also has great amount of experience under his belt. Detroit Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland is very happy from what he has seen from Porcello this spring. Working hard with
the Tigers’ coaching staff, Porcello is looking more mature than he was ever before. He is looking confident on the mound and it seems he knows what he is doing. His desire to learn tricks of the trade is also peaking.
Leyland probably said it best after Porcello's first spring start, when he commented, "He's still a kid, but not a kid pitcher."
"He's maturing," Leyland added. "You can see that in his face, his work habits, his confidence on the mound. Body language tells a lot. I'll hang up and listen, but when is Rick Por-chello going to start winning big? Should be winning 15 or more games by
now, grumble, grumble."
The Tigers management will have high expectations from Porcello this season. Although some of the Tigers’ fans still believe that Porcello is an inexperienced campaigner, Porcello has different ideas. He does not consider himself to be a kid anymore and
he will be looking to win 15 or more games this season to prove his point.
"I don't think of myself as a kid when I'm out there," Porcello said. "Whatever you want to attribute it to, to me it's about finding consistency. That's my goal."
Porcello struggled to make the most of available opportunities last season as he earned a 14-9 win-loss record with a poor 4.75 ERA in 31 starts. There is no denying that Porcello possesses exceptional pitching skills but the real challenge for him this
season will be to bring consistency in his performances.
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