Ricky Porcello hoping for a breakthrough season – MLB News
Rick Porcello is one of the most talented pitchers in Major League Baseball right now. Not only is he strongly built, he has the ability to single handedly win games for his team, Detroit Tigers. Since making his Major League Baseball debut back in 2009,
the guy has given some great performances.
Tigers’ General Manager Dave Dombrowski decided to give Rick a chance to play his first big league season in 2009. Playing the final spot in the Tigers’ rotations, he became the youngest pitcher to win five consecutive starts since 1954. It was an amazing
accomplishment by the starter considering he was only 20 years old at that time. For his consistent and match winning performances, he finished third in the 2009 American League Rookie of the year voting.
However, Porcello was unable to live up to the expectations in the following season. After accumulating a forgettable 6.14 ERA with a 4-7 win-loss record in first half, he was sent down to the Triple A league. He came back strongly in second half of the
season to improve his ERA to just under 5.00 and he ended the season with a decent 10-12 win-loss record.
"Porcello is one of our best starting pitchers... He has quality stuff and throws strikes. Rick is confident and mature beyond his years. And he has a very, very nasty sinker that gets him out of trouble,” said Dombrowski in an interview.
"I've definitely had starts linger in my mind," Porcello said. "Starts where either it was one bad pitch that I felt like really cost me, or it wasn't a good start from the get-go -- or it was a great start from the get-go. With experience, you start to
have a shorter memory about that stuff."
Inconsistency halted his progress significantly in 2011 as well he managed to secure 14 wins in 182 innings with a poor 4.75 ERA. The 2012 Spring Training will provide an excellent opportunity to the 23 year old thrower to prove his metal. With the likes
of Justin Verlander is the Tigers pitching rotations, there will be very little pressure on Porcello. It will be interesting to see what value he brings to the table in 2012.
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