It is starting to get intriguing down in Lakeland, Fla.
What appeared to be the longshot of all longshots this Spring may indeed be coming to fruition, although not in the way many believed it would happen.
Rick Porcello, the Detroit Tigers first round draft pick way back in 2007, is a strong bet to make the rotation.
That alone would merit a "wow" sentiment. What may really blow your socks off is the idea that Porcello might not be the number five starter, but rather number four.
Heading into Spring Training, Tigers manager Jim Leyland expressed doubt about Porcello making the squad, saying he was "probably a long-shot."
The unofficial line was that Porcello was technically competing with Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis and Zach Miner for the fifth starting position in the Tigers rotation.
Unofficially, Porcello was being assessed, and depending on how well he pitched he would likely find himself in either Single-A (Lakeland) or Double-A (Erie) in the minor leagues.
However, not only has Porcello dazzled with his pitching, but his competition has essentially laid down a red carpet for the youngster.
In two games so far, Porcello has struck out three batters, walked none and looked mature beyond his years. His sinker has been described as a heavy ball, forcing hitters into groundballs that turn into double plays with the team's new attention to defense.
Robertson has struggled with his control and his velocity, although his most recent outing saw him improve. Furthermore, Robertson has seemed almost defiant about losing his starting gig, making comments in interviews with local newspapers that have had the fans howling.
Miner has appeared in four games, and now has a 9.00 ERA although he has only walked one batter in 10 innings. But Miner does not necessarily have to prove anything; his place as the team's long reliever and spot starter is secure.
The real story amongst Porcello's competitors has been Willis and his adventures on the mound.
His control issues have not gone away, and his progression has been uneven at best. He has walked five batters, and his ERA is a whopping 12.00!
That alone would have signaled a strong possibility that Porcello would make the team. What has strengthened his resume is the fact that Jeremy Bonderman has failed to bounce back from injury like the Tigers' brass had hoped.
If Bonderman fails to make the opening day roster, Porcello will be a shoo-in for the team. However, even if Bonderman makes the team, Porcello has become a strong bet to make the squad. Here's why.
New Blood
The Tigers rotation is in desperate need for some new life. Sure, the Edwin Jackson trade shakes up the rotation. But Jackson is an inning eater, not a savior. He will add legitimacy to the pitching staff and he will give the bullpen needed rest on the days he starts.
Verlander struggled last year as the focal point of the rotation, especially given the unsteady health of Kenny Rogers and Bonderman and the disaster which was the seasons of Willis and Robertson. Of course Galarraga was a pleasant surprise, but most people agree that Verlander tried to shoulder too much of the burden.
With the attention being focused on Porcello and solid play by Jackson, Galarraga and either Bonderman or Miner, Verlander will be able to calm down and win one game at a time.
Excitement
There is no mistaking that these are tough times economically. The dollars will be tighter than ever, and the fans will be less likely to hand them over to watch an under performing ball club.
Adding a new, exciting face will help that task. Porcello is the ultimate Detroit type of guy. He is quiet but intelligent. He is humble but confident. He speaks softly but with an edge.
The fans, once they get to know him, are going to love him. He will be the most popular Tigers pitcher since Jack Morris if he continues to perform at a high level.
Pitchers who can throw hard are very popular in baseball towns, and for better or worse that is still what Detroit is considered. If he continues to exhibit a strong sense of self and refuses to get rattled, Porcello's stuff is good enough to do the rest.
20-year-old professional players are exciting by definition, and 20-year-old pitching phenoms are probably the most exciting in all of sports. Detroit needs excitement, and Porcello will be able to put fans in the seats, plain and simple.
The Time is Now
There is no tomorrow for this Tigers team. This includes Leyland and even GM Dave Dombrowski. Everyone is playing for their jobs.
Typically the front office and the manager approach pitching phenoms with kid gloves. However, given their lack of job security, those kid gloves likely will be discarded. The best players, more so this year than ever before, will make the team.
If Leyland sees Porcello as the pitcher most likely to help his team win, Leyland will bring him to Detroit and not think twice about it.
He may even introduce him to any unwed women in his extended family.
Extenuating circumstances such as player contracts and egos will not and can not be considered in times of crisis. This is one of those times for the Tigers.
Furthermore, don't disregard owner Mike Illitch's role in this whole saga. Illitch knows all of the reasons mentioned above, and not one of them flies in the face of his goals for this team.
Of course there are risks involved with this experiment. Porcello could be shelled and lose his confidence.
The fans could be treated to the all-too-familiar disappointment that accompanies talent being wasted, and another destroyed phenom to be added to the ones that came before that now litter the side of the highway which is Tigers' history.
However, these are times that breed either hope or pessimism, and it's about time that hope won out.
At least in Detroit.
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