Who is Blake Parker and where did he come from? Possible help in the pen???

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 10, 2009 9:16 AM CDT

I was looking at AAA stats for Iowa, and saw that hey have a good looking closer, at least on paper.

This guys stat line is great (0.75 ERA, 7 saves, 14 Ks in 12 ip, 5 bb, .183 baa in AAA). So far this season between AA and AAA, he has a 1.11 ERA, 10 saves, 33 Ks in 24.1 ip, 13 bb and .188 baa). For those that know the farm system well, why hasn't anyone been talking about this guy in the past. I tried to look up the old "Getting to know your..." threads and couldn't find his name. What kind of stuff does this guy have? How many pitches does he throw? Looking for info. Thanks in advance.

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Put up the Josh batsignal

I do hope you aren’t suggesting that we would take someone from AA/AAA and make him our closer without having to prove himself in the majors first.

by madcow256 on Jun 10, 2009 9:55 AM CDT reply actions

No, not making him the closer

It certainly appears (small sample size I know) that he may be capable of pitching an inning or two without getting shelled. Maybe he could be a set-up man in the near futrue (1-2 year, not right away) that may eventually become a close. Looking at his profile, he was not drafted a pitcher. He has only really been pitching for 3 years.

I just want to know a little more about him. Why is he not a top prospect if he is putting up numbers like he is.

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 10, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

You probably answered your own question...

…when you mentioned sample size. Let’s hope he pans out – you can never have too many good arms.

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by daver on Jun 10, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Guess what?

Parker is another converted catcher like Carlos Marmol or Randy Wells. He’s flown completely under the radar, but he’s a typical fastball/slider reliever. I haven’t seen him pitch, but the best I can tell his fastball is in the 93-95 mph range.

He’s having a great season. If he keeps it up, he could get a chance to help us in the majors, either in Sepember or because of an injury.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 10, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

Very good to know!

Nice to know we have someone like that down there.

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Jun 10, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info.

He did pretty well in the minors last year, starting from low A up to AA. Looking at his numbers this year, how the heck has he flown under the radar? If I recall, there was a big hype in the minors about Marmol, why isn’t there a hype for this kid.

It definitely appears this this kid is on the Fast Track to bigs.

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 10, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Partly

because Marmol was a starter in the minors, and starters always get more publicity. Partly because while Parker was good last season, there are a lot of good right-handed relievers in the system and he really didn’t stand out before this season.

Doing a little digging, I see that while Parker did catch for us in 2006, he actually played a lot more first and third base. That may have been to get him ABs while others had a chance to catch—the Cubs don’t actually draft or sign many corner infielders, so catchers often play first in the minors.

Also, it seems that he did pitch in high school but was converted to being mainly a position player at the University of Arkansas.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 10, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

We should draft more catchers. LOL

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Jun 11, 2009 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

what's "the guy's" name???

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Jun 10, 2009 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

uhhhhh, nevermind

please strike this post from the record

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Jun 10, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

BLAKE
PARKER
Iowa Cubs
P #44
Height: 6-3 Weight: 225
Bats: R Throws: R
Born: 06-19-85, Fayetteville, AR
Resides: Fayetteville, AR
How Obtained: Drafted in the 16th round (479) by the Cubs on June 6, 2006

Recent updates: Final 2008 winter league stats added on November 17, 2008.

2009: Wore number 36 with the Tennessee Smokies (Southern, AA)…got his 100th career strikeout on April 10…threw his 100th career inning on April 13…promoted to the Iowa Cubs (PCL, AAA) on May 11…wore number 44 at Iowa.

2008: Wore number 13 with the Peoria Chiefs (Midwest, A-)…had a streak of 16.1 scoreless innings from April 7 to May 7…selected for the Midwest League midseason All-Star game on June 3…got the win (1.2 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 4 k) in the Midwest League All-Star game on June 17…promoted to the Iowa Cubs (PCL, AAA) on June 27…wore number 36 at Iowa…transferred to the Daytona Cubs (Florida State, A+) on July 1…wore number 99 with Daytona…see what Blake thinks about minor league baseball, the Hogs, and more on his Survey…had one blown save, inherited 12 runners and allowed one to score with Peoria…had three blown saves, inherited 11 runners and allowed none to score with Daytona…three 57 pitches with Iowa, 31 for strikes…won the Florida State League Championship with Daytona…Hogs in the Minors Player of the Week two times…assigned to the Waikiki BeachBoys of the Hawaii Winter League…wore number 31 with Waikiki…won the HWB Championship with Waikiki.

2007: Began the season in extended spring training being turned into a pitcher…wore number 36 with the Cubs of the Arizona League®…had three blown saves, inherited four runners and allowed one to score with the Cubs…promoted to the Boise Hawks (SS-A, Northwest) on August 8…wore number 37 with Boise…had one blown save, inherited seven runners and allowed two to score with Boise.

2006: Drafted in the 16th round (479 overall) by the Chicago Cubs on June 6…wore number 16 for the Arizona League Cubs…played his first professional game on June 22…hit his first pro homerun on August 12…was 3-4 with 3 doubles and 3 RBI on August 13…promoted to the Peoria Chiefs (A-) on August 23…wore number 33 with Peoria…named to the Arizona League All-Star team on August 30…Hogs in the Minors Player of the Week one time.

College: At Arkansas from 2004-2006…wore number 20 at Arkansas…had a season long 14 game hit streak (20-58) in 2006.

D'Angelo loves Bobby Scales!

by Rosana on Jun 10, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions

Well, hello, Rosana.

Did you just write this yourself or did you copy & paste it from somewhere?

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 10, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry I forgot to post the link to where I got the information from.

http://www.hognation.net/bios/parker2.html

D'Angelo loves Bobby Scales!

by Rosana on Jun 10, 2009 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks!

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 11, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Saw him play

I live in Blake’s hometown in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was the star in high school as a pitcher and led them to a state tournament title. In college with the Razorbacks, he mostly played catcher and 1B, but was excellent and consistent with the bat. He would pitch occasionally but not regularly. I am no expert but I would say he’s a solid player and when he got drafted, everyone said it was just a matter of time before he made it to the big leagues. I am glad others are taking notice and I really hope he gets the chance! Nothing could be better for me, a Razorback and a Cub all in one!

by ArkansasCubbie on Jun 16, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

That's neat, I hope he makes it.

My brother played against Ben Zobrist (TB) in Jr. High and High School. Zobrist comes from an extremely small Illinois town (Eureka), and it was pretty neat to see him come up and produce in the big leagues. Also, my oldest brother played against Jason Werth (Phi) in high school. Werth is from Chatham Glenwood (outside Springfield) and was a catcher in high school. That kid is by far the best player I ever saw at the high school age.

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 17, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Not So Fast

There’s one number in those stats that I really don’t like. That would the 8 walks he gave up in 12.1 IP in AA. Even the 5 BB in AAA, isn’t that good either. We already have too many relievers giving up too many walks as it is. He walked 30 in only 71.2 innings last year so it looks like he’s got some issues with command thus far …

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Jun 10, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Give me a break

His BB rate is much less than the bullpen average right now. His WHIP is < 1.3 in all 4 levels he has been at since 2008. I would take his WHIP over Marmol’s 1.52 right now.

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 11, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

You're assuming he could replicate those numbers at the major league level.

Easier said than done.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 11, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I know it is easier said than done,

but I am not suggesting he come up today, next month, this season. He is obviously having a termendous season, and maybe he will be a 40 man call up in Sept. If not, he may be ready by next season if he goes to the winter leagues and dominates there as well.

That being said, there is no reason to keep a guy like Patton on the roster if you have an equivilant guy in your farm system that could be getting some good experience and put up similar numbers.

Lastly, if Parker develops into a quality reliever by the end of the season, we may be in good shape next year if the Cubs get a quailty 8th inning lefty (George Sherrill type) in the pen. That would give the Cubs some pretty good late inning options (lefty, Guzman, Marmol, Gregg).

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 11, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Well, there is a reason to keep Patton on the roster.

He’s a Rule 5 draft pick and the Cubs would get nothing in return if they let him go.

If Parker can keep it up – by all means, the Cubs should put him to use ASAP.

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by daver on Jun 11, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

lemme see if i have this down correctly

our bullpen is not very deep.
some of our recent pen options have been expensive failures
we have a guy on the big league roster that may eventually be good.
if we release him from the 25 man roster, we lose his rights.
he’s been ‘okay’ recently.

conclusion: junk him and bring up someone who might be rotten.

great long-term thinking

by tim815 on Jun 11, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, I must be looking at the wrong guy.

by ‘okay’ you mean not good? So far, he has pitched 16.1 innings, has a 6.06 ERA, 1.78 WHIP (17 hits, 12 BB) 15 SO. Looking at those numbers, this goes to show me that he has gotten extremely lucky to have only given up 12 runs (11 earned).

There is no reason why we should have him filling a roster spot if he is going to give up a hit and .73 walks every outing. We have guys in the minors that can do that well in the bigs right now. So either trade for him, or let him go. He is eating a roster spot.

by Don't Fear the Reaper on Jun 11, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

He's not really eating a roster spot...

…because Lou rarely uses the guys at the back of the bullpen anyway. Picking up Patton was certainly a controversial move – probably not something a contending team should have done. But I still think that the only way to get anything from the Rule 5 process is to grab a kid with potential, bury him in your bullpen (or on the bench) and hope for the best.

Yeah, Patton’s given up a lot of hits – that’s to be expected. But for a guy who’s never pitched above A level ball to be flirting with striking out a major league hitter every inning isn’t too shabby. If the Cubs dropped The Good General in favor of Parker, it really wouldn’t change much.

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by daver on Jun 12, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Has anyone else noticed that HR rate...

…Parker has allowed 3 home runs in 122 professional innings. Three home runs, that’s it. His walk rate is a little high but that becomes more palatable if he rarely gives up a home run.

Here are Parker’s career numbers. Note that he’s listed as “Richard Parker” because baseball-reference doesn’t pay too much attention to whether a minor leaguer goes by his middle name.

The question, then, is whether that ability will translate to the majors. I suppose the Cubs’ll be relying on their scouts assessment to answer that question. As a fan, I’d like to hear from someone who has seen him pitch before I pay much attention to calls for his promotion. With a HR rate that low, he might be something more than the “typical fastball/slider reliever” as Josh describes him above – rather, I wonder if his best pitch is a heavy two-seamer or something along those lines, a pitch that has a lot of natural sink to it. So, has anybody out there a) seen him and b) paid attention to what his pitches do?

"I'd rather play baseball than eat." - Andy Pafko

by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 11, 2009 9:14 PM CDT reply actions