THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays made Ricky Romero the sixth overall pick in 2005, while Rick Porcello was selected 27th overall by the Detroit Tigers in 2007.
On Thursday, the two pitchers will become the first pair of first-rounders to make their big-league debuts against one another, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It's a small and obscure piece of baseball history, but a piece of baseball history nonetheless.
"That's actually pretty cool," said Romero, a 24-year-old lefty from Los Angeles. "Two young up-and-coming guys making their debut, should be pretty fun. It's exciting for me, I'm sure he's excited too. I have my whole family here, it's obviously going to be a good experience, a day you're never going to forget."
Added Porcello, a 20-year-old righty from Morristown, N.J.: "I don't think about it too much, I've got my hands full with trying to get some hitters out. But it's kind of cool that's the first time it's going to happen."
The last time two pitchers made their big-league debut against each other was last Sept. 4, when Washington's Shairon Martis faced Atlanta's James Parr. The last time it happened in a non-September game was Aug. 8, 2001, when Detroit's Nate Cornejo met Joaquin Benoit of Texas, according to Elias.
.Porcello's arrival in the majors has been eagerly anticipated since he dropped to 27th in the draft because of signability concerns and he eventually agreed to a US$7.28-million, four-year deal, that included a $3.5 million signing bonus.
The Tigers caught plenty of heat for the size of the contract, but may have landed themselves a future ace. He forced his way on to the team during spring training and has been trying not to let the opportunity get the best of him.
"I'm going to do my best to treat it like a normal outing," said Porcello. "I'm sure I'm going to have some butterflies and some pre-game jitters but I think that's only natural for my first major-league game. It's going to be a battle to try and stay calm out there and think clearly, but it's my job so I'm going to do the best I can."
Romero, meanwhile, has taken a slower road to the majors since signing for a $2.4 million bonus, slogging through four minor-league seasons before winning a job this spring. He's eager to seize the moment and prove he belongs.
"I feel like I'm ready physically and mentally. This is what I've been waiting my whole life for and we're going to make the most of it," said Romero. "I'm usually pretty calm (before starts, but) I don't think you're normal if you aren't nervous.
"I think everyone goes through that. It's all about getting through that first hitter, first inning, and after that it's baseball."
