H/W:  6-5  200 lb.     B/T:  R/R      DOB:  12/27/88

Porcello's first professional season was a resounding success giving Tigers team officials a bit of relief after signing him to a $7 million MLB deal topped with a $3.5 million signing bonus.  Porcello pitched the entire season at High-A Lakeland where he compiled an 8-6 record with a 2.66 ERA and an appealing 2.48 GO/FO ratio.  Porcello features four MLB-quality pitches including a 92-94 MPH fastball with heavy sink and late movement.  He can bump it up to the 96-97 MPH range when needed.  His curve has a sharp 12-6 break and his changeup is evolving into a MLB plus pitch.  What's more is that Porcello has a good idea how to use them effectively in game settings.  Porcello has impeccable control, surrendering just 33 BB and 7 HR in 125 IP to advanced Florida State League hitters.  His delivery is clean, balanced and technically sound which should help him to stay healthy, and his long, projectible frame shows promise of building more strength and stamina.  Despite his considerable tools and attributes, it was odd to see a low strikeout rate from Porcello.  He struck out just 73 hitters in 125 IP.  Additionally, Porcello became quite hittable with runners on base, as his ERA jumped from 0.68 w/bases empty to 4.88 w/runners aboard.  Both of these could be attested to the fact that Porcello pitched in a highly talented and advanced league at a young age.  Rick Porcello is one of baseball's elite young pitchers and his future as Detroit's frontline starter will happen soon.

2009 Projection: Porcello signed a major league contract, which means that barring any  unforeseen setbacks the Tigers will aggressively promote him through their system.  There are several prognosticators that believe he will wear a Tigers uniform at some point in 2009.  A more prudent projection would place him at AA Erie in April with a move to AAA Toledo happening at some point in the middle of the season.  If all goes well, he may get some September innings with the big club and a spot in the 2010 rotation seems quite likely.  Porcello's first year autographs in the 2008 Donruss Threads and Donruss Elite Extra autos are very popular on eBay right now and should grow in value as Porcello develops into the Tigers' future ace.

Key Rick Porcello Baseball Cards:

• 2008 Donruss Threads Diamond Kings Auto #/500
• 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/???

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

50 ct lot - 2010 Topps #35 Rick Porcello Cards MINT Detroit Tigers $10.44

Rick Porcello 2008 Elite Extra Edition EEE Auto RC #'d 113/1299 DETROIT TIGERS $27.99

2009 TOPPS HERITAGE CHROME #CHR171 RICK PORCELLO TIGERS /1960 L@@K $1.29

RICK PORCELLO 2008 08 THREADS RC ROOKIE LETTER "O" AUTO AUTOGRAPH SP/240 $59.99

RICK PORCELLO 2008 08 THREADS RC ROOKIE LETTER "R" AUTO AUTOGRAPH SP/240 $59.99

RICK PORCELLO - 2008 Bowman Chrome #BDPP1 - GEM MINT PSA 10 $27.99

2009 Bowman Chrome Rick Porcello #166 Rc Rookie $5.00

2009 Sweet Spot Swatches Rick Porcello #SS-RP Game-Worn Swatch $8.00

2009 Sweet Spot Swatches Rick Porcello #SS-RP Game-Worn Swatch $25.00

« Previous12345...1112Next »

H/W:  6-0  195 lb.     B/T:  L/R     DOB:  9/11/88

Moustakas was challenged this year by beginning the season at full season Low-A Burlington.   The early reports were not positive for Moustakas as he struggled to hit .190 with just 1 HR and 4 RBI.  His early start evoked murmurs that he was not worth the $4 million dollar price tag that the Royals signed him to and that he was an overdraft.  Moustakas continued to work hard and after the all-star break, something clicked and Moustakas went on a tear hitting .321 with 13 HR 40 RBI and 46 runs scored.  Moustakas has an electrifying bat that has superb power to all fields.  Moustakas has a strong build and good athleticism.  He has good plate discipline for a player of his young age and he cut back on his strikeouts as the season progressed.   Defensively, Moustakas has a strong arm and decent range at SS, though there are suspicions that he will need to move to 3B as he fills out.

2009 Projection: Things seem to have clicked for Moustakas and it seems reasonable to expect that the Royals will be aggressive in promoting him through their system.  Expect Moustakas to start at High-A Wilmington and, barring any snags, a trip to AA Witchita seems inevitable.  Watch to see how Moustakas does at SS.  The longer he can stay there, the more value he will have in the collecting community.  The Kansas City Royals have been stockpiling talent with bats like Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Mike Aviles, Eric Hosmer, and Moustakas.  Expect Kansas City to make some big steps forward in the next 2-3 seasons.  That should bode well for Mike Moustakas' 2007 Donruss Elite and 2008 Bowman Chrome autos.

Key Mike Moustakas Cards:

• 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
• 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/999
• 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

2011 Bowman Topps 100 Mike Moustakas TP89 $2.99

2007 Bowman Chrome Refractor Mike Moustakas BGS 9.5 $29.99

2013 Topps Chasing the Dream #CD25 Mike Moustakas $1.00

2011 TOPPS FINEST #98 MIKE MOUSTAKAS ROOKIE RC REFRACTOR ROYALS 64/549 $6.95

2011 BOWMAN MIKE MOUSTAKAS ROOKIE $0.99

2012 Topps Sticker Collection 75 Mike Moustakas $1.00

2013 Topps Museum Mike Moustakas Triple Auto Relic Gold PARALLEL SWATCH PATCH $8.43 (6 Bids)

1 - Mike Moustakas 2011 - etopps $2.30

2011 Allen & Ginter Glossy Rookie Excl Mike Moustakas $5.60

« Previous12345...1112Next »