Tigers send Porcello to Class-A Lakeland

Subject: Tigers send Porcello to Class-A Lakeland Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:16 pm

Tigers send Porcello to Class-A Lakeland

By JOHN LOWE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • March 12, 2008

LAKELAND, Fla. — Right-hander Rick Porcello’s electric first spring training ended as expected this morning when he was included in the Tigers’ first round of cuts.

Porcello, 19, was optioned to Class-A Lakeland. He was one of 12 players in the first cut. Only one of the 12 was considered to have any shot to make the Opening Day big-league club: left-hander Macay McBride.

Manager Jim Leyland said during camp that McBride was headed for the starting rotation at Triple-A Toledo. And that’s where McBride was optioned this morning.

Porcello, the Tigers’ first pick in last year’s draft, signed a $7-million deal that included a big-league contract. That big-league contract is why he was in big-league camp.

In two of his three spring appearances, Porcello retired all six hitters he faced. Several of them were big-league hitters.

In his other outing, Porcello allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings. So his spring totals were 5 2/3 innings with one run allowed.

Manager Jim Leyland raved more than once about Porcello’s stuff and poise.

Subject: Re: Tigers send Porcello to Class-A Lakeland Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:19 pm

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Top prospect Porcello assigned to Single-A Lakeland
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

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."

The Tigers optioned 11 other players to the minors Tuesday as part of manager Jim Leyland's first squad cuts.

McCay McBride, a left-hander, will report to Triple-A Toledo along with right-hand reliever Armando Galarraga.

Ex-Michigan State right-hander Jeff Gerbe will report to Double-A Erie. Also assigned to Erie are catchers Joe Bowen and Dusty Ryan.

Assigned to minor-league camp (they will await formal assignment) are catcher James Skelton; outfielders Matt Joyce, Clete Thomas and Wilkin Ramirez; and infielders Jeff Larish and Danny Worth.

Porcello was the Tigers' No. 1 draft pick last June and received the highest bonus ($7.28 million) ever paid to a high school pitcher. He dazzled during several Grapefruit League performances this month but was always scheduled to begin in the minors what could be a rapid path to Detroit.

You can reach Lynn Henning at lynn.henning@detnews.com.