Prep Life News Media. After sweating through 1. Monday morning, instead of rain, the fog crept in at dawn blanketing the Kelly Athletic Complex early and keeping the precipitation at bay for the long anticipated dedication of Porcello Field. The event marked the culmination of the KAC project, in the works since 1. Msgr. Michael Kelly welcomed the crowd of 3. Following an opening prayer by Headmaster Msgr. Robert Harahan, Prep father Kevin Kern offered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Prep Coach Mike Sheppard then described for the assembly what the 2. John was one of our familys alltime favorite good guys. Always a smile on his face and a kind or funny word for you. I looked forward to seeing and spending time. Typical of Rick, he noted, was his insistence that the home team dugout be dedicated to his freshman coach, former Prep Head Coach Rev. Stephen Kilcarr. Senior Prep outfielder Nico Motessi followed Coach Sheppard, remarking on the added pride that the stadium and following in Porcellos footsteps has brought to all the players and to the program. Commissioner Rob Manfred pointed to Ricks gift as a model for current players to keep in mind, and to the service projects that The Prep baseball program has offered to the community. Rick Porcellos remarks centered on the lessons he learned at The Prep, both on the field and off, and how they have served him well along his road to the 2. AL Cy Young Award. Closing the ceremony, in the company of his family Rick walked to the dugout to unveil the plaque honoring Fr. Kilcarr and then out the centerfield gate to lift the banner covering the plaque commemorating the dedication of Porcello Field. From MLB. com, By Joe Trezza June 5th, 2. WEST ORANGE, N. J. Rick Porcello blossomed from a cant miss prospect into a Gatorade National Player of the Year into a first round Draft pick in 2. North Jersey as Mini Fenway Park. Breaking News News get the latest from the Dallas News. Read it here first. The Art Of Card Throwing Rick Smith Jr State' title='The Art Of Card Throwing Rick Smith Jr State' />Verducci Field, tucked between foliage and the science building at Seton Hall Preparatory School, sported a left field fence nearly 3. The Red Soxs future American League Cy Young Award winner battled that monster long before the green one in Boston. So, in comparison, Seton Hall Preps new state of the art baseball facility, dedicated and renamed Porcello Field during a ceremony Monday, could be considered spacious. It is 3. 15 feet down the line and 3. On Monday, there was a Major Leaguer giving a speech on the warning track. As far as high school fields go, the new complex, located just northwest of Preps campus, is as good as it gets. And its certainly a pitchers park a little cozy, joked Porcello. This is the only way I know how to give back, Porcello told a crowd gathered at the field, which officially opened last year. I think about how fortunate Ive been to be a part of the Seton Hall Prep family. Much of that extended family was in attendance Monday to see the school officially dedicate the field to its namesake. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred joined a dais of school officials, community leaders, alumni, family and fans that gathered to welcome Porcello back to his alma mater. One thing that is often overlooked is how generous and community minded our players really are, Manfred said. This project is a great example of that. Porcello starred as a shortstop and pitcher for Seton Hall Prep before the Tigers drafted him No. He spent six seasons in Detroit and is currently in his third in Boston, where he won the AL Cy Young Award in 2. Donations from Porcello, who is signed to a four year, 8. While Rick was winning 2. Red Sox and winning the Cy Young Award, at the very same time, work was going on this project, Manfred said. Aimp Download Latest Version there. This project will serve young people here at Seton Hall for generations. Porcello first grabbed the attention of scouts as a sophomore at Prep, during an emergency relief appearance in a game in South Jersey. Out of all his pitchers, varsity baseball coach Michael Sheppard Jr. He was throwing BBs, Sheppard remembered. A Yankee scout just happened to be in attendance. He asked me after Who the heck is thatPorcello gained a reputation as one of the best two way high school players in the country before switching to first base as a senior to protect his arm. He hit 1. 1 home runs to go along with a 1. Sheppard recalled the story of a playoff game a week before the Draft in which Porcello, a projected first round pick, risked injury by diving into first base trying to beat out a grounder. Porcello had a lot to lose he signed later that year for 1. Rick, we thank you for the many contributions you made to our program as a player, Sheppard said. And now as an alumnus, for this generous gift.