What You Know: Rick Porcello

My dad told me a story one time about how he was taken out to a fancy restaurant for a business dinner. My dad, not accustom to eating at fancy restaurants, figured he would order something he never had before, you know, something fancy. So he looked over the menu and decided on the squab. When the meal arrived, my dad looked down at his plate and disappointingly saw just one very small cooked bird. He ate it, it was good, but he was still really hungry as the portion was so small. He looked to the guy next to him (who had ordered a thick steak) and the guy, understanding my dad's predicament, leaned over and told my dad, 'Next time, go with what you know.'

Going with what you know can keep you from a bad decision. This is how I feel when I think of Rick Porcello, SP, Detroit Tigers. You know what you are going to get, a good pitcher.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun here as he is only 21, with just one year of big league experience. But, as a 20 year old rookie, he held his own. He had a sub 4.00 ERA, 14 wins and 89 Ks. On top of that, as the season went on, he got stronger. In spring training, he has picked up where he left off - being solid.

Draft charts (mixed league) have Porcello around the 50 spot as to where he ranks with other pitchers. I disagree. Although he is NOT an elite pitcher, what he gives is very valuable. He is a guy who is already good and will probably just improve on his numbers from last year. This makes him a solid pitcher with upside (hopefully in the strikeout department). He will not hurt your roto league team, and the consistency he gives is awesome in a points league. There is a comfort factor with Porcello as you already know he will not be a bust. I put him around the 35 mark in my pitcher rankings.

Now, you may choose to order the fancy, unknown dish, a pitcher with good upside but also some downside (Carlos Zambrano, Ervin Santana, Jorge De La Rosa are examples that are ranked higher or around Porcello). And you may end up with a good choice. But they may also end up leaving you hungry. I say, go with what you know, go with Porcello. He may not 'Wow' you, but you know you are getting a good meal that will leave you satisfied.

-Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)

4th Straight Win for Porcello

Tell me why Rick Porcello is owned in less then 15% of leagues? I know there is a good amount of pitching out there, but a good young pitcher that is getting stronger and more confident, that plays in a pitchers park, and has a good offense to back up his starts is someone you want. Porcello won his 4th straight game yesterday against the Rockies giving up only 1 run. In his last 4 starts he has given up a total of 3 runs while striking out 16. He has a nice 3.55 ERA for the year. Unless you are in a very shallow league, Porcello should be owned. -Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)