Rookie Rick Porcello Struggling at Detroit

It is only natural for all rookies to have their fair share of slumps. Perhaps the fact that Rick Porcello is just 20 years old is all the more reason to give him the pass. Prior to this season, his experience included just Single-A Lakeland and Seton Hall Preparatory School.

We all know just how great Rick can/will be, and with that being said, we also anticipated several speed bumps along his path to greatness. His limited pitch count and inexperience were sure to hinder him this season in many experts' opinions.

However, on May 27, Porcello was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA. His limited pitch count had yet to be an issue and he was receiving a hefty amount of early season ROY buzz.

Since that start on May 27 against Kansas City, the young Porcello has struggled. He hasn’t been terrible, and it has just become very evident that the long season is starting to tax his very young arm.

In his last seven starts since then, Porcello is just 2-3, while his ERA has slowly risen to 4.14. The chart below illustrates the woes pretty clearly.  

DATE	OPP	IP	H	ER	BB	K	DEC
7/5	@Min	4.0	7	4	2	3	L
6/29	@Oak	4.1	9	5	2	0	L
6/24	ChC	5.0	7	2	4	3
6/18	@StL	5.2	8	1	2	3	W
6/12	@Pit	7.0	6	1	1	2	W
6/7	LAA	5.0	5	4	3	2
6/2	Bos	4.1	8	3	1	2	L

While I’m not suggesting sending him down, I believe its about a quarter past time to start skipping him in the rotation. Perhaps just once every three starts or once a month, but honestly though, something needs to be done.

Yesterday's six-run fourth inning was brutal, and its obvious that he is wearing down. Hits continue to stack up like firewood and he is having a hard time going deep into games on that magical 85 of his.

Another couple rough outings and Porcello will be a .500 pitcher with an ERA north of five, with zero in the confidence department and an ailing arm. I’m not saying put the poor kid in a bubble and overprotect him, but I hate to see young talent get wasted.

I agree that on most nights I'd rather see a talented, promising young kid on the hill, (insert your Eddie Bonine, etc. here) but I’m not all about watching this phenom get destroyed because we actually have a shot this season.

Spot starting yet another rookie can be risky, so then break open the wallet. I realize that Mr. Illitch doesn’t have the ability to simply print fake money that isn’t backed by gold like our government does, but come on.

Dear Mr. Illitch,

In addition to ordering a bat, get a starter. In return I will order more Little Caesars pizzas. See, we both win. Hey, even Rick wins, as his arm doesn’t fall off and he doesn’t lose all of his confidence. Either way, while you are hand tossing pizzas…Toss that idea around!

Thank You

JAY-RC

On a serious note, perhaps the All-Star break is arriving at the perfect time for Rick. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. I just see great things in this young man and I wonder perhaps if this was best for him this year.

While many complain when a pitcher logs hundreds of innings in the minors, I only wonder if we jumped the gun because of an unstable rotation. With that being said, what are your thoughts on our young phenom Rick Porcello and his recent struggles?