how does Parra rate?

[GAME05]

I'll admit some ignorance with Parra. maybe i've lost touch. where does he top off as a major-league pitcher? I don't really even know what sort of stuff he throws or how many different pitches he uses effectively. Do you think there's a major-league pitcher he compares well to?

[Athens Badger]

High end he could be a solid #2 I'd say. Top end #3. Health will remain his big issue.

[DHonks]

hard to gauge...a lefty that throws 94-95, has at least 3-4 pitches, strikes a lot out, and doesn't walk anyone? That could be a #4, it could mean a #1, or a dominant reliever/closer. We'll see

[mothershipconnection]

I think the projected ceiling for Parra has always been a top of the rotation (1 or 2) pitcher. Of course, ceilings typically aren't fully realized.

[strawbossisevil]

I think he could probably be a solid 2 or 3 at his peak.

 

The thing that is really impressive is the Brewer's depth at Starting Pitcher:

 

List of pitchers and their ceilings:

Sheets (1)

Gallardo (1)

Capuano (2 or 3)

Parra (2 or 3)

Villenueva (2 or 3)

Bush (2 or 3)

Suppan (3 or 4)

Vargas (4 or 5)

 

Obviously this offseason will be pretty interesting to see what we do with all of this depth. I imagine we could see some of it used in trades down the line.

[Crewin06]

I think Vargas is definitely dealt. Beyond that I have no idea.

 

Suppan is definitely in there because of money and no trade clause

Sheets is a lock if he isn't traded

 

Beyond that I don't know you have 4 guys who definitely deserve to be there in Cappuano, Bush, Gallardo and Villanueva

 

Then you have a player like Parra who would be an excellent #5 starter but no room

 

And in AAA you have 2 pitchers in Zach Jackson and Tim Dillard that should get a shot sometime soon (probably not on the Brewers)

 

And you have Will Inman who should be knocking on the door some time in 08.

 

It will be a fun winter to pay attension to the Brewers that is for sure.

[dadofandrew]

They never switch #1/2's to the bullpen. I'd say he's a bottom of the rotation guy, maybe a #3 if things break perfectly.

[tyguy20204]

I'm not sure if I'm missing something, DoA, but just because Parra is in the bullpen right now doesn't mean he will be forever (see: Gallardo, Villanueva eventually).

 

I think you are drastically underestimating Parra's talent. Now, I have yet to see him pitch, but I'm going on scouting reports and performance (including the perfect game), and everything leads me to believe he could be a top-end starter.

 

Keep in mind, that the #3 starter for the Padres, who have the best pitching in MLB, and one of the best pitching environments, has a 4.15 era.

 

Do you really think that if Parra "breaks perfectly" i.e. reaches his ceiling, he won't be able to top a 4.15 era?

[igor67]

I agree with tyguy. The ways in which the Brewers are being managed differently this year than previously is quite important, and careful use of prospects as supplements is only one of those. I hardly think it's lost of Melvin that the best pitcher in baseball pitched out of the pen even after he was done with his rule V year. In years past our rotation would have naturally stunk to the point that Villy, Gallardo, and Parra all would be in the rotation either because of performance or injury. If you factor in Parra's historic K and BB numbers with his stuff he is pretty much the ideal profile of a top of the rotation lefty, not a back end throw him out there type.

[TheCrew07]

I was really hoping to get to see him pitch today. Ahh well... before the injuries what was not to like about Parra? If you can look past his injury history and just evaluate what he's done this year, what's not to like?

 

If, and yes I know his history doesn't bode well for the future, but if he's healthy, he'll be pretty good. If he ends up the #3 starter on this team behind Sheets and Yo next year... again what's not to like?

[pogokat]

Other than injuries, he's dominated everywhere...he throws mid 90's and he's a lefty...if it weren't for the injuries, he'd have been in the rotation in MKE 3 years ago...i've seen him throw, and he's not roger clemens, bu he's definitely a 2/3 if he peaks well..and no worse than a 4...

 

he's a starter not a reliever long term...

[DrWood]

how many lefty starters can throw 96, with good command?

Are there more than 6 in the bigs?

Can Randy Johnson still get that fast?

 

Parra's injuries knocked down his ceiling (I thought he was going to be a reliever before this season). He seems to be over that.

[igor67]

I guess I disagree slightly with you Dr. until an injury trashes a tool I don't think of them as having an impact on ceiling. Likelihood of ever being useful certainly. Durability is such a fuzzy concept that I hate to see it put a guy into a box of potential.

 

 

On the other hand aggreeing with you, It might be entertaining just to put together a list of lefties over the last 10-20 years that could throw with control a fastball over 93 mph. I'd venture to say that it is indeed a list you'd love to compare any prospect too.

[tyguy20204]

I'd like to see him pitch so I can actually confirm the quality of his stuff.

 

It might be entertaining just to put together a list of lefties over the last 10-20 years that could throw with control a fastball over 93 mph

 

JDLR http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[igor67]

I said with control! So one could argue half of Randy Johnson' career wouldn't count either.

[dadofandrew]

Gord Ash has said on a couple occasions Parra will probably be a relief guy.

[strawbossisevil]

Quote:

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Gord Ash has said on a couple occasions Parra will probably be a relief guy.

---

 

I'm assuming he met this season since his innings are already quite high (if we are planning on easing him back after his injury). It's well documented as well, that Parra doesn't warm up quickly, and would be best used as a starter.

[Boy Jeenius]

I've seen Parra pitch, and sat right on the bullpen fence and watched him warm up before a game. The 96 is fine(he was more like 93/94 the day I saw him), but even the AAA hitters lit that up. What makes him so tough is the speeds of his breaking pitches. 84/85 on the slider and 76-77 on a change. He had trouble getting the slider over for strike early on in the game and OKC sat on the fastball and smoked it. 3rd inning came, and both the slider and the change started falling in for strikes and they did not have a chance.

 

The point I'm trying to make is that it's always going to be about being a complete pitcher, not just bringing the gas. Greg Maddux still gets guys out lobbing the ball up there.

 

Parra looks to be a wonderful prospect who's really starting to figure it out. I too would wonder if he could be a reliever, but the only way to know is to toss him out there and find out for sure.

[whizkid]

Gord Ash has said on a couple occasions Parra will probably be a relief guy.

 

Given the injury history he probably did say that and it's what I thought too. Just not durable enough to go 200 innings.

 

Then this year happened with strong starting at AA and AAA. I'm not sure anything said prior to his elevation to AAA still applies. If Gord said that in the last month or so I'd be surprised. Manny could still break down but I don't think only a relief role is a given anymore.

[uwisfan]

seems strange to hear that from Ash, because there was a radio interview with someone in the organization a month ago, and the person said that the organization views him as a starter..which at the time surprised me

[endaround]

Ash just said that he's now a starter candidate only.

[dadofandrew]

Gord should make up his mind.

[wcswimmer712]

I thought I heard Brian/Bill say on an FSN broadcast that Parra throws a split-fingered fastball. With Parra throwing the split, I can't think of another recent Brewer pitcher with a splitter. Does anyone know of one?

[sheetswannabe]

Correct me if im wrong....Didnt Davis throw a splitter?

[Boy Jeenius]

I don't believe Davis throws a splitter. Just a cutter and a "fastball".