Porcello to start the season in High-A

by lemonjello on Mar 12, 2008 3:41 PM EDT

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/SPORTS0104/803120432/1129/SPORTS

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Rick Porcello, the 19-year-old right-hander who is a consensus pick as the Tigers' No. 1 prospect, will begin his minor-league career at high-level Single-A Lakeland rather than at the customary first stop in the Tigers' farm system, West Michigan. "We talked a lot about it," said Dave Dombrowski, Tigers president and general manager. "I think it came down to a couple of factors." Weather was one consideration, Dombrowski said. Warmer weather and more predictable spring climate will enable a pitcher who held his own during big-league camp to make more regular starts in a five-man rotation. Porcello's exceptional talent was the other factor in pushing Porcello to a higher run in the Tigers farm system. "We didn't have anybody (among the Tigers' consultants) think he couldn't handle it," Dombrowski said. Porcello had a 1.59 earned-run average in three games during the Grapefruit League season. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two walks, while striking out two. "We like him a great deal," Dombrowski said. "He pitched well. And we think he has a bright future."

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They must really be impressed with him

His Spring Training performance has been very strong, and the Tigers have been known to push their top pitchers. I wonder how quickly they will promote him to AA if he pitches well.

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by lemonjello on Mar 12, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

im guessing June

... or whenever it warms up in the EL...

by daveh33 on Mar 12, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Promotion

I think Porcello will spend the whole year in Lakeland. But if he is lights out, he will probably be promoted to Erie after the FSL's All Star Break. That's usually when the Tigers make their promotions.

While I would like to see Porcello spend time in the minors to build up his innings and hone his pitches, I think he will be promoted to the majors fairly fast, probably late 2009 if he pitches well, based on how rapidly the Tigers tend to promote their prospects through the system.

I did get to see Porcello pitch vs. the Indians the other day (televised Spring Training game), and I was very impressed with his stuff and control. I don't put much stock into Spring Training stats, but the fact that he pitched so effectively against big league hitters - never having faced minor league or even college hitters - was very impressive.

by grandslam84 on Mar 13, 2008 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions