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MLB: Stars Trying to Make Their First All-Star Game

By Joe Favia

Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) throws a pitch during the first inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports. MLB.
Mar 3, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) throws a pitch during the first inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports. MLB. /

Rick Porcello is in rare company. Not many pitchers end up winning a Cy Young Award in a season where they do not get invited to the All-Star Game. But, last year Porcello had that happen. The 28-year old right hander for the Red Sox had a career year in 2016 capturing the Cy Young, and the Comeback Player of the Year.

Fangraphs sees Porcello coming back to Earth in 2017, with ‘Pretty Ricky’ winning 14 games. This total was what Porcello averaged in his six years with the Tigers.

Porcello is already showing he is set to return to 2016 form in his early spring performance against the Braves, prompting Red Sox manager John Farrell to comment to MLB.com:

“It’s a pleasure to watch Rick pitch,” manager John Farrell said. “His ability to command the baseball … the pace of the game when men got on base, his varying of hold times, just in complete control once again. He used all of his pitches in three quality innings of work, a very good starting point.”

Porcello had the fifth best WAR with 5.0 amongst ALL Pitchers, was top five in the league in ERA, and finished an astonishing 22-4, which was a full seven more wins than his next best year with 15 wins in Detroit. With his hardware at home, a loaded lineup coming back, and the likes of Chris Sale tiring bats that he faces, it would be not shock to see Porcello get invited.

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