Born in Morristown, N.J., Rick Porcello grew up a Mets fan in North Jersey.
Now, the Seton Hall Prep graduate gets to put on a Mets jersey and pitch for his childhood favorite team after inking a one-year deal with New York this offseason.
Working out with some of the other pitchers in Port St. Lucie following next week's official start of Spring Training, the right-hander spoke about how excited he is to get this season started as a Met.
"I'm looking forward to it. It's a dream come true for me," said Porcello. "I grew up a Mets fan, so it's as good as it gets when you think about your opportunities. Growing up as a kid, this was always something I wanted to do, and now it's become a reality."
The AL Cy Young winner in 2016, Porcello has spent his entire 11-year career in the American League with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox.
With a career 4.36 ERA and a 1.311 WHIP, Porcello is likely battling with Michael Wacha for the fifth spot in the Mets rotation, but worrying about where he fits in the staff is for another day. For now, the 31-year-old is just happy to be back on the field as Spring Training begins.
"Felt great," Porcello said after Friday's workout. "I've been up north all offseason, so to be down here in sunny Florida, get out on a dirt mound, see all the guys, get into metal spikes and all that stuff, it feels great. I'm excited, and camp's right around the corner."
Porcello joins a Mets team that already had the deepest rotation in baseball, and after the team made a late playoff push in 2019, Porcello is eager to help the Mets take that next step this season.
"Extremely excited. The biggest reason why I wanted to come here is we've got a great chance to win," Porcello explained. "When you look at (Jacob) deGrom and (Noah) Syndergaard and the rest of the arms we have in the rotation and in the bullpen, it's a great foundation for a team. Then when you look at Pete Alonso and the great offensive weapons that we have and great defense, we have the makings of a great ballclub but now we just have to put the work in and go do it."
