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Rick Porcello to pitch today
By Deran | February 29, 2008
The Tigers prized super-prospect Rick Porcello is scheduled to pitch during the Tigers exhibition game in Dunedin vs. the Blue Jays today. It will be the first time he has pitched during game competition as a member of the Tigers’ organization.
I’m really excited about this, just for the fact that he’s pitching. This is the start to his career as a Detroit Tiger. It would be wise, however, to not make a big deal about his performance. He’s probably on a strict pitch count and is probably even being instructed to not use his full arsenal, as has been the case with several Tiger pitchers already. His performance in the spring will only give them an idea of whether to send him to West Michigan (A-ball) or to Lakeland (A-Advanced) this spring.
At any rate, good luck, Rick!
UPDATE:
Rick pitched 2.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 walks, and a strikeout of Frank Thomas. Pretty good first outing against guys way older than the 19 year old.
Topics: Spring Training |
February 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
The more I think about it, the more I think West Michigan will be where Rick opens up the ‘08 season. This is only due to him coming straight out of high school. Had he come out of college, I think there would be a better chance of him starting down in Lakeland, but the Tigers have been putting other big “out of high school” guys (Cameron Maybin, as one example) through West Michigan, so I’m leaning more to that being the case this year.
And no, this isn’t just because I’m up here in West Michigan.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Matt:
I’ll bet you Deran’s next paycheck that Rick starts off in Florida.
Deal?
March 1st, 2008 at 7:39 am
I would agree with you, Matt, but they have specifically said that they want to see how he conducts himself this spring before making a decision. I have a hunch they want him to start out in Lakeland but they’re keeping his options open in case he doesn’t perform well over the next few weeks. If they were just going to send him to WM because he’s a HS guy, I think they would have told him already. We shall see. It certainly helps his development if he’s in Lakeland, in my opinion.
March 1st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I could see him going to Lakeland, but IF he goes to WM I might be tempted to finally take in a ‘Caps game …..
March 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
I’m guessing he goes to Lakeland simply because he is so advanced already. Or at least that’s what the comments out of ST have been so far…