From High School to the Majors in Two Years
Rick Porcello Shows the Detroit Tigers He's Mature Beyond his Years
Jun 30, 2009
Porcello's astounding rise from high school to the major leagues was a result of natural ability and the willingness to study his profession. In many ways, losing can lead to accelerated progress.
"I'm facing guys with a lot more experience than me," Porcello said after a June loss to the Oakland Athletics. "There's a lot for me to learn. I need to take what I can out of it and move on. The biggest thing is to keep working at it and be better the next time out."
At age 20, Porcello is the youngest player in the majors. He earned his spot in the Tigers' starting rotation out of spring training after spending one year in the minor leagues, and that was at the Single-A level at Lakeland in the Florida State League.
It's one thing to dominate high school hitters and Class A minor leaguers and another thing to get major league hitters out. He's been able to do so, though, with a fair amount of consistency. He won all five of his starts in May and took a winning record into the All-Star Break. If he keeps it up, he'll be pitching in the all-star game someday.
"He's fine," Tigers' catcher Gerald Laird said. "People forget he's only 20 and it's still a learning experience for him. He's pitched well but he's not going to have his best stuff all the time. He's known to bounce back. He's learning every day because he's a bright kid. He's open to suggestions."
The Tigers have designs of returning to the post-season as soon as this season and Detroit's veteran manager Jim Leyland was not afraid of giving the 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hander the chance to become part of that at a time when most people his age are hitting the books.
"He's done a real good job," Leyland said. "I'm not concerned about anything about him."
Porcello, who maintained a 3.94 GPA in school, was named the Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year after an undefeated season that included a seven-inning perfect game. He lost once in three years at Seton Hall Prep.
Porcello prepares for each game and talks things over with his catcher, Laird, his pitching coach, Rick Knapp, and with his fellow pitchers. There's a reason for every pitch.
He walked A's all-star and former AL MVP Jason Giambi, which led to his downfall against Oakland. Given the chance, he'd throw the same pitch.
"It was a change up and if I'd thrown it for a strike there was a good chance he would have rolled over for it for a double play or swung and missed," he said.
Giambi later struck out against Taiwanese left-hander Fu-Te Ni, who was making his major league debut. Ni had no idea who Giambi was.
It might not be too long before Porcello becomes as recognized as Giambi. "The kid is going to have a bright future," said Laird.
