Statistically speaking: At age 19, Porcello led the Class A Advanced Florida State League with a 2.66 ERA and was fourth in WHIP at 1.19. Most impressive was his consistency -- his ERA never exceeded 3.50 in any month, with a low of 1.80 in August and a "high" of 3.43 in June.
Scouting report: Porcello throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball ... both of which can reach the mid-90s with regularity although the four-seamer is a bit faster. The heavy two-seamer has plenty of life down in the zone and induces ground balls. His curve improved in 2008 and could become a swing-and-miss pitch. He has a good feel for his changeup and can throw it in any count. Though he has a slider, he didn't throw it in 2008. He possesses excellent command, particularly of his fastball, to both sides of the plate. Makeup, poise and mound presence are all off the charts.
Upside potential: Ace, All-Star, Cy Young candidate, you name it. He's been compared to Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander, Roy Oswalt and Josh Beckett.
They said it: "He is exciting and he's going to be exciting for a long time. But he's going to be in a learning process and we're going to attempt to give him every direction and make it work for him." -- Tigers Farm Director Glen Ezell
He said it: "It's a great honor. There are a lot of great arms in this league. To be able to start it off is a privilege." -- Porcello on starting the FSL All-Star Game
Minors
