Donruss Inks Rick Porcello

[chiliwilly]

Top Prospect’s First Autographed Cards Coming Soon

Rick Porcello, the minor league’s top pitching prospect and the first-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2007, has signed a deal with the Donruss Trading Card Company to offer his first-ever autographed trading cards.

Porcello’s first certified autographs will appear in a set scheduled for later this summer. The 20-year-old righthander is the only first-round pick from the 2007 MLB First Year Player Draft who has previously not signed autographs for a trading card product. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2007 Draft by the Detroit Tigers.

“Donruss is a name I’ve known since I was a kid,” Porcello says, “and I’m looking forward to signing for the company and seeing my first cards.”

As part of the deal, Donruss will receive a game-used jersey and cap worn by Porcello in the 2006 Cape Cod Classic, as well as a game-used fielding glove and a pair of cleats worn during minor-league play. Porcello will also be featured on packaging and sales materials.

“Obviously, we’re thrilled to be offering the first Rick Porcello autographs,” says Ben Ecklar, Donruss Baseball Brand Manager. “We think a lot of Rick, and believe he’s going to bring even more value to our product lines.”

Porcello’s first signing with Donruss occurred in late June in Lakeland, Fla.

Porcello, in his first full professional season since graduating from high school last year, is pitching for the Class A Lakeland Flying Tigers and was the starter and winner for the West Division team in the 2008 Florida State League All-Star Game. His 2.73 ERA ranks among the leaders in the FSL.

The Donruss Trading Card Company is a leading manufacturer of sports and entertainment trading cards, produced under the Donruss, Playoff, Leaf, Score and Americana brand names. As the second oldest trading card company, Donruss has established a well-deserved reputation in the realm of sports collectibles. Donruss is known for pioneering the Rookie Card phenomenon and manufacturing the finest, high-end trading cards available at any price.