Rick Porcello
Encyclopedia
Frederick Alfred "Rick" Porcello III (born December 27, 1988) is an American professional baseball
pitcher
with the Detroit Tigers
of Major League Baseball
.
He was drafted #27 overall in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
. Porcello has been described as an "ace" who could be a "bona fide No. 1 starter." In 2009, he was the youngest player in the major leagues.
His choice of sports agent Scott Boras
to advise him may have scared away other teams and knocked him down to the 27th spot.
in West Orange, New Jersey
in 2007. In his senior season, he compiled a 10–0 record with 103 strikeouts and a 1.44 ERA
in 63 innings pitched. He threw a perfect game
on May 12, 2007 against Newark Academy
.
Although Porcello signed a letter of intent
to attend the University of North Carolina
, he later declined in order to pursue his professional career in Major League Baseball
. Porcello was signed by the Tigers to a $7.28 million, four-year deal with two one-year options. The total contract is worth $11.1 million, making Porcello the highest-paid high schooler ever. He also received a $3.5 million signing bonus, the second-largest ever given out by the Tigers, surpassed only by the $3.55 million given to 2006 first round pick Andrew Miller
.
on April 3, 2008. On May 12, he was named the Florida State League
Pitcher of the Week. On July 19, he took part in a seven inning combined no-hitter
against the St. Lucie Mets
. Porcello finished the season with a record of 8–6 in 125 innings pitched. His 2.66 ERA was the lowest in the FSL.
stated that Porcello would be considered for the final spot in the Tigers' rotation, pending his spring training
performance. Porcello began drawing comparisons to Boston Red Sox
ace
Josh Beckett
, namely from Tigers official Al Avila, who was the Florida Marlins
' scouting director when the team drafted Beckett in 1999
. On April 1, Dombrowski confirmed that Porcello would make the 2009 opening day roster after posting a 2.63 ERA in five Grapefruit League games. Dombrowski stated:
On April 9, Porcello made his Major League debut against Toronto
, opposite Blue Jays rookie pitcher Ricky Romero. The game marked the first time in MLB history that two first-round picks faced each other in their respective debuts. Porcello pitched five innings and took the loss for Detroit. He struck out four batters and allowed four runs on eight hits.
On April 19, Porcello earned his first career win in a 8–2 victory over the Seattle Mariners
. He allowed one run and struck out three in seven innings with no walks. He retired the final 14 batters he faced.
Porcello won all five games he started in May. He became the youngest pitcher to win five starts in a row since Dwight Gooden
won seven in a row in 1985
, as well as the first Tiger age 20 or younger to win five consecutive starts since at least 1954
(research beyond that year is incomplete).
On November 16, it was announced that Porcello finished third in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year, behind Andrew Bailey
of the Oakland Athletics
and Elvis Andrus
of the Texas Rangers
.
announced he will be called back up on July 17 to face the Indians. In his first start back with the team he had quite possibly the best start of his career, continuing the trend of struggling starters in the rotation finding success after stints with the Mud Hens. Going eight innings against the Indians, allowing one run, striking out six and walking none.
Porcello finished the 2010 season with a 10–12 record, going 5–1 in his last 7 starts, with an ERA of just under 5.00.
, Jacob Turner
, and Brad Penny
. He ended up in the Tigers rotation for the 2011 season.
He started in 31 games for the Tigers, pitching 182 innings with 14 wins, 9 losses, 104 strikeouts and a 4.75 earned run average
.
, was inducted into both the National Honor Society
and the Spanish National Honor Society
at Seton Hall Prep. He graduated with a four-year cumulative GPA of 3.94. His older brother Zach is a pitching coach at Seton Hall University
. His younger brother Jake is a 2009 graduate of Seton Hall Prep and is currently a pitcher at Seton Hall University and was drafted by the Tigers in the 48th round of the 2009 draft.
Porcello is the maternal grandson of Sam Dente
, who played for the Cleveland Indians
in the 1954 World Series
.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
He was drafted #27 overall in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
. Porcello has been described as an "ace" who could be a "bona fide No. 1 starter." In 2009, he was the youngest player in the major leagues.
His choice of sports agent Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
to advise him may have scared away other teams and knocked him down to the 27th spot.
Prep career
Porcello graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory SchoolSeton Hall Preparatory School
Seton Hall Preparatory School, generally called Seton Hall Prep, is a Roman Catholic boys' high school located in the suburban community of West Orange in Essex County, New Jersey, operating under the supervision of the Archdiocese of Newark...
in West Orange, New Jersey
West Orange, New Jersey
West Orange is a township in central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 46,207...
in 2007. In his senior season, he compiled a 10–0 record with 103 strikeouts and a 1.44 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 63 innings pitched. He threw a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
on May 12, 2007 against Newark Academy
Newark Academy
Newark Academy is a coeducational private day school located in Livingston, New Jersey. With both lower and upper schools, this institution comprises grades six through twelve...
.
Although Porcello signed a letter of intent
Letter of intent
A letter of intent is a document outlining an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. The concept is similar to a heads of agreement...
to attend the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, he later declined in order to pursue his professional career in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Porcello was signed by the Tigers to a $7.28 million, four-year deal with two one-year options. The total contract is worth $11.1 million, making Porcello the highest-paid high schooler ever. He also received a $3.5 million signing bonus, the second-largest ever given out by the Tigers, surpassed only by the $3.55 million given to 2006 first round pick Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller (baseball)
Andrew Mark Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-College:...
.
Minor league career
Porcello played the entire 2008 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Detroit's advanced class-A affiliate. He earned his first victory against the Tampa YankeesTampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
on April 3, 2008. On May 12, he was named the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
Pitcher of the Week. On July 19, he took part in a seven inning combined no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
. Porcello finished the season with a record of 8–6 in 125 innings pitched. His 2.66 ERA was the lowest in the FSL.
2009
On February 7, 2009, Tigers general manager Dave DombrowskiDave Dombrowski
David Dombrowski is the current president, CEO, and general manager of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.-Chicago White Sox:...
stated that Porcello would be considered for the final spot in the Tigers' rotation, pending his spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
performance. Porcello began drawing comparisons to Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
, namely from Tigers official Al Avila, who was the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
' scouting director when the team drafted Beckett in 1999
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
. On April 1, Dombrowski confirmed that Porcello would make the 2009 opening day roster after posting a 2.63 ERA in five Grapefruit League games. Dombrowski stated:
On April 9, Porcello made his Major League debut against Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, opposite Blue Jays rookie pitcher Ricky Romero. The game marked the first time in MLB history that two first-round picks faced each other in their respective debuts. Porcello pitched five innings and took the loss for Detroit. He struck out four batters and allowed four runs on eight hits.
On April 19, Porcello earned his first career win in a 8–2 victory over the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. He allowed one run and struck out three in seven innings with no walks. He retired the final 14 batters he faced.
Porcello won all five games he started in May. He became the youngest pitcher to win five starts in a row since Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
won seven in a row in 1985
1985 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Kansas City Royals over St. Louis Cardinals ; Bret Saberhagen, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: George Brett*National League Championship Series MVP: Ozzie Smith...
, as well as the first Tiger age 20 or younger to win five consecutive starts since at least 1954
1954 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* World Series: New York Giants over Cleveland Indians * All-Star Game, July 13 at Municipal Stadium: American League, 11-9-Other champions:* Caribbean World Series: Caguas Creoles [Criollos de Caguas]...
(research beyond that year is incomplete).
On November 16, it was announced that Porcello finished third in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year, behind Andrew Bailey
Andrew Bailey (baseball)
Andrew Scott Bailey is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. He is a native of Voorhees Township, New Jersey.-Baseball career:...
of the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
of the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
2010
Porcello began the 2010 season with a 4–7 record, accumulating a 6.14 ERA. On June 20, 2010 he was sent down to AAA Toledo. Jim LeylandJim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
announced he will be called back up on July 17 to face the Indians. In his first start back with the team he had quite possibly the best start of his career, continuing the trend of struggling starters in the rotation finding success after stints with the Mud Hens. Going eight innings against the Indians, allowing one run, striking out six and walking none.
Porcello finished the 2010 season with a 10–12 record, going 5–1 in his last 7 starts, with an ERA of just under 5.00.
2011
Porcello entered Spring Training competing for a job in the Tigers starting rotation, other players up for the job were teammates Phil CokePhil Coke
Phillip "Phil" Douglas Coke is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. Coke was born in Sonora, California-College:Coke attended San Joaquin Delta College...
, Jacob Turner
Jacob Turner
Jacob Edward Turner is a baseball starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.-High school career:During his career playing for Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, Turner compiled a record of 20–4 as well as two saves and 187 strikeouts...
, and Brad Penny
Brad Penny
Bradley Wayne "Brad" Penny is a Major League starting pitcher. Penny has spent portions of his career with the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers....
. He ended up in the Tigers rotation for the 2011 season.
He started in 31 games for the Tigers, pitching 182 innings with 14 wins, 9 losses, 104 strikeouts and a 4.75 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
Personal life
Porcello, a resident of Chester, New JerseyChester, New Jersey
Chester is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,649.Chester Township was established as a separate political entity on April 1, 1799, including the area of both the Township and the downtown Village area which came...
, was inducted into both the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
and the Spanish National Honor Society
Spanish National Honor Society
Spanish National Honor Society is an academic honor society focused on Spanish language excellence in secondary education and promotes a continuity of interest in Spanish studies. The group, which was established in 1953 in the United States is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of...
at Seton Hall Prep. He graduated with a four-year cumulative GPA of 3.94. His older brother Zach is a pitching coach at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
. His younger brother Jake is a 2009 graduate of Seton Hall Prep and is currently a pitcher at Seton Hall University and was drafted by the Tigers in the 48th round of the 2009 draft.
Porcello is the maternal grandson of Sam Dente
Sam Dente
Samuel Joseph Dente [Blackie] was a shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for five different teams between 1947 and 1955. Listed at 5' 11, 175 lb., Dente batted and threw right-handed...
, who played for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the 1954 World Series
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
.
Awards and recognition
- Selected to the 2006 AFLAC High School All-American Classic Baseball game in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
- Named the 2006–07 GatoradeGatoradeGatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
national baseball player of the year - Selected for the 2008 Florida State LeagueFlorida State LeagueThe Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
mid-season and post-season All-Star teams - Named TigsTown.com's Organizational Pitcher of the Year
- Named the ALAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Rookie of the Month for May 2009 - Named Tigers Rookie of the Year for 2009
- Inducted into the Chester Hall of Fame