MLB Draft: Detroit Tigers Squeeze Value Out of First Round Picks
By Matt Snyder
Jun 14, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (21) delivers pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
2007 MLB Draft
Rick Porcello, SP – Seton Hall Prep High School
Taken at the end of the first round in 2007, Rick Porcello spent only one full season in the minor leagues before making his debut in the major leagues at the age of 20. He saw immediate success with a 3.96 ERA in 170 innings — including 5.2 strong innings of one-run ball in Game 163 against the Twins.
Porcello frustrated some fans because he always seemed to be on the cusp of taking the proverbial next step without actually doing so (until perhaps last year when he finally turned in a sub-3.50 ERA), but there’s no denying that he was a reliable back-of-the-rotation starter for the six years he spent with the club.
And if getting a solid starting pitcher for six years wasn’t enough, the Tigers were able to deal him to the Boston Red Sox this past offseason in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Porcello’s ERA is above 5.00 for the Red Sox while Cespedes has posted an .800 OPS.
Next: 2006 MLB Draft: Andrew Miller