OT: Rick Porcello

Submitted by MichFan1997 on
Since it's the offseason, and I'm a huge baseball guy, I figured I'd start another discussion on it. Today, Porcello became the first pitcher since 1985, aged 20 or under, to win 5 consecutive starts. The last one...Dwight Gooden...discuss
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MichFan1997

May 27th, 2009 at 8:20 PM ^

Low-to-mid 90's fastball with a lot of sink to it. Plus curve with tons of break. He throws it at about 78-83. Change is still a work, but it has nice movement at times. It sits in the low-to-mid 80's. Very good variety of speed. Lots of movement on the pitches. Most of the stuff hit off of him are weak grounders and popups. Nice control. Not a big strikeout guy yet though. Very poised on the hill. Mature beyond his years. A superstar in the making, IMO. P.S. His mechanics are stellar. He works fast. Reminds me of Verlander a lot.

Joined: 08/04/2008

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UMdad

May 28th, 2009 at 7:47 AM ^

I was at the game last Friday and I really like this kids mental approach to pitching. He just 'rocks and fires' and throws a ton of strikes. At one point, I think he had thrown 48 strikes and 12 balls. I was so sick of watching all of the walks last year, I am really loving the aggressive streak.

Joined: 05/14/2009

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Blue boy johnson

May 27th, 2009 at 8:27 PM ^

Porcello has a great arm and mentally he seems to have it together, we will know more when he goes thru an inevitable downturn. I have been impressed with Willis and his ability to fight thru his difficulties. Went to the Mudhens game last night and Bonderman happened to be pitching, as someone mentioned last week, he is not ready for the big leagues. Bonderman's velocity seemed down and guys were pulling almost everything he threw.

Joined: 03/15/2009

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GoBlueInTheLou

May 27th, 2009 at 8:17 PM ^

It's ironic that him hiring Scott Boras as his agent before the draft actually helped the Tigers ability to draft him since most teams were scared off.

Joined: 10/16/2008

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dex

May 28th, 2009 at 10:46 AM ^

Also leads rookie starting pitchers (a huge sampling of the MLB population, I know ...) in VORP this year. 2nd overall in rookie pitchers behind some jobber relief loser. He is going to win 9 Cy Youngs and throw 12 no hitters. Book it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Yahtzee

May 28th, 2009 at 11:07 AM ^

I hope they keep his innings down so they do not wear out his arm. Keep in mind this is his second year of pro ball, and last year did not pitch that many innings.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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dex

May 28th, 2009 at 11:11 AM ^

MarkPrevious: I think innings are overrated. I more than doubled my innings from minors to the show in my first year and i'm fine MarkPrevious: also, if you could throw a rope down here gently to the bottom of this well it would be much appreciated MarkPrevious: oh god I tore my labrum trying to scratch my wrist

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MichFan1997

May 28th, 2009 at 12:06 PM ^

Mark Previous...Like Mark Prior, except not. Everyone get it? Huh, do ya, do ya?? Seriously though, Prior's mechanics were horrible. He was an injury waiting to happen. Porcello has very good mechanics. While I would expect him to tire out, I am slightly less worried about long-term injuries than I would be if he were more like Prior. But who knows. Keep the fingers crossed.

Joined: 08/04/2008

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dex

May 28th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^

I think blaming overuse entirely for Priors injuries is a little overboard - I remember the SI article on Lincecum where they had a couple guys saying Prior was an injury waiting to happen due to his mechanics - but he's a running joke in the Dugout over at AOL Fanhouse.

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