The reason why Porcello may make the Tigers out of ST

[All The Hype]

He has been really good so far in his three appearances this spring. Not completely dominant the whole time, but he has shown flashes of brilliance, and he has been consistently solid thus far giving up just one run and showing some pretty good poise to get out of a couple jams.

The other guys in contention for the Tigers' 5th rotation spot including Nate robertson, Dontrelle Willis, and Zach Minor have all been pretty bad, giving up lots of runs, hits, and walks. Look at Minor...he already has given up two runs today. Willis and Robertson both pitched the other day and both got rocked for 3 hits each, 2 and 3 runs and 2 and 4 walks, respectively.

Porcello has easily been the best of these four so far this spring. Easily. It still could be too early to tell, but if the spring finishes the same way it has started, I don't know how the Tigers could possibly AFFORD to take one of the other guys over him. They are still a team that is supposed to be a contender this year, and waiting on Porcello while allowing one of the other three guys to continue to struggle once the season starts puts them in a deeper and deeper hole. If he is still pitching like he is the best guy for the job, Rick Porcello should be starting in the majors out of spring training.

Thoughts?

 

[Jaypers]

Disagree. He could pitch flawlessly in ST and still not break camp with Detroit. I'm fairly certain they don't think he's ready yet. I see him getting the call in September. It's not all about ST stats.

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

He isn't making the rotation out of ST. It just is not going to happen.

Craig

 

[phillyfan0417]

Disagree. He could pitch flawlessly in ST and still not break camp with Detroit. I'm fairly certain they don't think he's ready yet. I see him getting the call in September. It's not all about ST stats.

Agreed, also would be bad for his card value. Spring training numbers dont mean very much...

 

[cgilmo]

Porcello isn't even close to being ready for this.

If you are a tigers fan you should be mad if he DOES break camp with the tigers.

 

[whityscards]

i hope he doesn't so i can pick up some more of his cards...have a blue incoming which i can't wait to get slabbed!

 

[EricInCT]

He wont.

 

[All The Hype]

I personally hope he does NOT make it simply so he can pitch in AA for awhile and hopefully (and probably) dominate that league so I can sell my stash and make a lot of money.

But none of you guys are even giving him a chance at this? Take a look at the other 3 guys. Frankly, they suck. They sucked last year, and they suck so far in spring training. If they find someone else who can fill the role, then fine, but from what I've read, it is a competition between the four of these guys for the last rotation spot.

 

[Derek2011]

They have limited his pitches and limited WHAT he has thrown. No way he makes the rotation this early

 

[chrome_ball]

Ryan Perry will make the roster out of ST way before Porcello will. I think the Tigers will be smart with Porcello this year and let him start at either high A (until it warms up and then move to AA) or AA.

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

They are not taking a rookie who is not ready when they have three veteran options, all of whom have gotten it done in the past.

I don't care about the numbers. It is ST, and Porcello is trying to impressive while the vets are getting ready for the season.

Craig

 

[All The Hype]

They are not taking a rookie who is not ready when they have three veteran options, all of whom have gotten it done in the past.

I don't care about the numbers. It is ST, and Porcello is trying to impressive while the vets are getting ready for the season.

Craig

Spring Training stats don't mean a whole lot, but these guys were all terrible last year too...why should this year be any different?

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

[quote="Craig - 21hawk":3j9fx3e3]They are not taking a rookie who is not ready when they have three veteran options, all of whom have gotten it done in the past.

I don't care about the numbers. It is ST, and Porcello is trying to impressive while the vets are getting ready for the season.

Craig

Spring Training stats don't mean a whole lot, but these guys were all terrible last year too...why should this year be any different?[/quote:3j9fx3e3]

It probably won't, but they'll be better than Porcello would be at this point, and Porcello's psyche wouldn't get destroyed by getting knocked around. He is not ready.

Craig

 

[Jaypers]

They basically rushed Maybin to the Majors, and you saw what happened there.

Porcello's only 20.

 

[All The Hype]

I think you all might be misreading my initial post.

I'm not necessarily saying that Porcello is ready and is definitely going to be the choice, I'm just saying that the other three guys have been awful so far in spring training, which is no different from how any of them pitched last season. If not Porcello, then who's it gonna be? Are the Tigers going to take their chances on one of these guys again this year? Who? And why?

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

No, we all get it and answered why. As for who, I'd guess Robertson, but it could be any of the three.

Craig

 

[NECpilgrims8]

OMGZ PORCELLO IS STARTING!

Oh waitz. you dontz underdstandz meez...

Noes Noes, I was kidding...I dontz wantz that....

Whatz was myz pointz again?







CMB

 

[All The Hype]

Nate Robertson's 2008 stats:

IP: 168.2
Wins: 7
Losses: 11
ERA: 6.35
K:108
BB:62
WHIP: 1.66
HR: 26

Dontrelle Willis's 2008 Stats:

IP: 24
Wins: 0
Losses: 2
ERA: 9.38
K: 18
BB: 35
WHIP: 2.21
HR: 4

Zach Miner's 2008 Stats:

IP: 118
Wins: 8
Losses: 5
ERA: 4.27
K:62
BB: 46
WHIP: 1.39
HR: 10


Miner would be the best choice of the three pitchers in contention who have major league experience based on recent major league success. His 2008 numbers fit the mold of a solid #5 starter with a respectable ERA just above 4.00, and actually was one of the few Detroit pitchers in 08 to post a winning record. He is 27 years old.

 

[All The Hype]

OMGZ PORCELLO IS STARTING!

Oh waitz. you dontz underdstandz meez...

Noes Noes, I was kidding...I dontz wantz that....

Whatz was myz pointz again?







CMB

And you're a mod?


Just grow up. It's a legitimate discussion topic.

 

[Wes]

I personally hope he does NOT make it simply so he can pitch in AA for awhile and hopefully (and probably) dominate that league so I can sell my stash and make a lot of money.

But none of you guys are even giving him a chance at this? Take a look at the other 3 guys. Frankly, they suck. They sucked last year, and they suck so far in spring training. If they find someone else who can fill the role, then fine, but from what I've read, it is a competition between the four of these guys for the last rotation spot.

I think this is overplayed - while in a vacuum you would think that teams would simply play the best player they have all the time that is not reality. There are so many other factors - money is a big one - that play into the decisions about who starts and who sits and who breaks camp with the big league club.