Porter attended St. Mary's Preparatory in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan. As a freshman in 2019, he pitched to a 9–2 record with a 1.20 ERA and 85 strikeouts, leading St. Mary's to a state championship.[1] He committed to play college baseball at Clemson University after his freshman year, choosing the Tigers over offers from Duke University, the University of Miami, and the University of Tennessee.[2] As a junior in 2021, he went 12–0 with a 0.56 ERA and 126 strikeouts over 62+1⁄3 innings, leading St. Mary's to a 43–1 record and another state title.[3][4] He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Michigan.[5]
Porter entered his senior season in 2022 as a top prospect for the upcoming draft.[6][7][8] During the season, he threw a no-hitter in which he struck out 11 batters on 47 pitches.[9] He was named the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year for the second straight season.[10] Porter was also named the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.[11] He finished his senior year with a 9–0 record, a 0.29 ERA, 109 strikeouts and 23 walks, helping St. Mary's to a perfect 44–0 record.[12]
Professional career
Expected to be a first-round selection in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, Porter was not selected until the fourth round with the 109th overall selection by the Texas Rangers.[13][14] On July 27, 2022, Porter signed with Texas for a $3.7 million signing bonus, the largest ever given to a pick after the second round.[15][16] Porter spent the 2023 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Class ACarolina League,[17] going 0–3 with a 2.47 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 69+1⁄3 innings in 21 starts.[18]
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