Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Rick Rolled
It’s almost hard to remember that Rick Porcello was once among the highest-regarded prospects in the game.
Porcello’s stellar start to 2016 added another chapter Saturday, as the right-hander shut down the rival Yankees over seven innings in an 8-0 drubbing. Porcello allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out six.
Porcello is now 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 36/6 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings to date. Only he, Jordan Zimmermann, Jake Arrieta and Chris Sale won all five of their April starts.
The change dates back to last season, but a fresh slate this year has illustrated how far Porcello has come. He fell to the Tigers at No. 27 in the 2007 MLB Draft due to concerns about his contract demands, and he made 31 starts as a 20-year-old less than two years later.
He’s won at least nine games in every season but has never cashed in on the promise that made him such a coveted amateur. That is until now, as he continues to roll through opponents with little trouble.
“The ability to make the adjustment from pitch to pitch, that’s been probably the biggest thing,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said of Porcello’s improvement. “He’s been sharp. If he gets out of whack or misses with a pitch he’s right back into the strike zone with quality location. He’s carrying it through a pretty extended period here.”
He’s also shown an increased reliance on his sinker and has used his curveball, a pitch much improved over years past, and his changeup effectively. He’s striking out nearly 30 percent of the batters he faces while simultaneously throwing more strikes.
Still just 27 years old, it will be fascinating to see if he can sustain this success and become the ace he’s long been expected to be.
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Reds’ Righties Suffer Setbacks
The Reds aren’t expecting too many bright spots in 2016, and two of the brighter ones suffered setbacks Friday.
Raisel Iglesias was scratched from his scheduled Sunday start after feeling a “pinch” in his throwing shoulder Friday. Fellow starter Anthony DeSclafani, who has yet to make his 2016 debut, also saw his status thrown into question when he felt discomfort in his side during a rehab start Friday.
Reds manager Bryan Price said DeSclafani, who has been on the disabled list since the season began with a mild strain of his left oblique, felt a “sensation” during the start.
“(He) just hasn’t gotten to where he’s sensation-free and we’re not going to push him through it,” Price said. “We’re really doing everything we can to avoid a setback. He was good until the last inning or so, and then it was an issue.”
The Reds are understandably exercising caution with the right-hander, who owned a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts with the club last season.
They are being similarly cautious with Iglesias, who was shut down at the end of last season after experiencing shoulder fatigue. The team held Iglesias back this spring with an eye on limiting his load this season. The 26-year-old isn’t expected to need a trip to the disabled list. Tim Adleman will be called up to start in Iglesias’ place Sunday.
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National League Quick Hits: The possibility of the Brewers trading Ryan Braun is becoming “more realistic,” per FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. If the team wants to, now is certainly the time to do it, as Braun is batting .333/.409/.577 with five homers and 18 RBI this year … Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he hasn’t considered making a change in the team’s starting rotation despite some lackluster showings from starters Matt Cain and Jake Peavy. “I have too much confidence in these two guys,” said Bochy. “I don’t think there are options that are going to make this staff better.” We would disagree … Michael Conforto had three hits, including a home run, in a win over the Giants. All the 23-year-old has done is bat .365/.442/.676 with four homers, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored thus far … Devin Mesoraco remained out of the Reds’ lineup Saturday. Reds manager Bryan Price gave Mesoraco a few days off after he got off to a .140/.218/.160 start to the year … Francisco Liriano was strong in a win over the Reds, allowing a lone run while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings … Joe Ross certainly appeared to be over his blister issue on Saturday, tossing six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Cardinals. Ross is now 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA on the year.
American League Quick Hits: Zach Britton left Saturday’s game with a sprained left ankle. O’s manager Buck Showalter said the closer is day-to-day, with Darren O’Day expected to fill in if Britton can’t go … making his season debut, Jesse Hahn spun 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Astros. Hahn pitched well at Triple-A and should be able to hold onto a rotation spot if he can come close to replicating that success at the major league level … Avisail Garcia (hamstring) missed Saturday’s game and could be held out all weekend. The outfielder’s hamstring is “a little tight,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said … Derek Holland twirled six scoreless innings in a win over the Angels. Holland yielded just four hits to earn his third win of the year … Jose Abreu‘s ninth inning RBI single was the game-winner for the White Sox against the Orioles. Quietly, Abreu has compiled multi-hit games in four of his last five contests.
