Follow the Prospects: Mitchell Parker, LHP

[JCA-CrystalCity]

started tonight. 5 IP and the win. 2 hits, 4 walks, 8 Ks, 0 runs.

[imref]

Yesterday: 7IP, 1H, 0R, 2BB, 8K

[welch]

Not strong tonight in the 4th inning: 8 hits, 3 runs (2ER). 1 BB, 2 K. Had the lead and collapsed in the 4th...

[Section214]

6 IP 6H 3ER 1BB 13, yes 13K. ERA sitting at 4.83, but really impressive strikeout numbers. Parker, Saenz and Herz all have a chance to be next year's Jake Irvin.

[imref]

5 innings, 2H, 2BB, 8Ks, 0ER.

[imref]

8+ IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 9K

Came out in the ninth after giving up a lead off homer

[JCA-CrystalCity]

With Parker, isn't all about the walks? Consistent K% > 25%, but BB% running at 15.4% last year and 11.3% this. Like to see the BB% below 10%. He's been doing that since his 6/30 start (211 batters faced, 17 BBs), while striking out 1/3 of batters (70) 5-1 over that stretch of 9 starts and 2 relief appearances. 4 HRs, 3.66 ERA, FIP 2.55. Can say a bit unlucky on contact (.375 BABIP) which is driving a WHIP of 1.28, but also a fly ball pitcher not giving up many HRs (probably due to Eastern League parks?).

Looking at some splits for the season, he seems to handle righties OK (relatively more GBs, lower HR%), and he also has had a knack for finishing innings when he gets 2 outs, judging off his WHIP in those situations.

Must be added to 40 man roster this year or exposed. I'd think as lefty with a consistent high K rate he might be somebody a team would grab a stash in the bullpen. 

[imref]

With Parker, isn't all about the walks? Consistent K% > 25%, but BB% running at 15.4% last year and 11.3% this. Like to see the BB% below 10%. He's been doing that since his 6/30 start (211 batters faced, 17 BBs), while striking out 1/3 of batters (70) 5-1 over that stretch of 9 starts and 2 relief appearances. 4 HRs, 3.66 ERA, FIP 2.55. Can say a bit unlucky on contact (.375 BABIP) which is driving a WHIP of 1.28, but also a fly ball pitcher not giving up many HRs (probably due to Eastern League parks?).

Must be added to 40 man roster this year or exposed. I'd think as lefty with a consistent high K rate he might be somebody a team would grab a stash in the bullpen. 

yeah, he's a lock to be added to the 40-man

[JCA-CrystalCity]

FWIW, the FG take on him:

26. Mitchell Parker, MIRP
Drafted: 5th Round, 2020 from San Jacinto JC (TX) (WSN)
Age   23.7   Height   6′ 4″   Weight   224   Bat / Thr   L / L   FV   35+
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Fastball   Slider   Curveball   Changeup   Command   Sits/Tops
45/55   40/50   55/55   30/30   30/40   89-92 / 94
Parker is a lefty with a due north arm slot that creates plus riding life on his low-90s fastball. He’s been hovering in the 90-92 mph range since he was in high school but is capable of missing bats at the letters despite the below-average velo, and his fastball pairs nicely with his 12-to-6, mid-70s curveball. Parker has also added a new slider in 2023. His elaborate delivery is deceptive but also hard to repeat, and Parker still needs to polish his command if he’s going to have a long big league career. Still, his fastball’s playability, coupled with his ability to create depth on his breaking ball because of his arm slot, makes Parker an interesting long-term sleeper, especially if he ends up throwing harder if/when he moves to the bullpen.[/b]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/washington-nationals-top-31-prospects-2023/

Their comment about command is interesting given his recent performance mentioned in reply #56. 4+:1 K:BB over 51 innings, or half a season.  I'm guessing there's no reliable velocity measurements on his fastball lately. 2 good pitches and velocity gain might make for a nice reliever, especially if he can handle righties, but I don't think we should give up on starting yet. Putting the curse on him, his health seems good. May end up being a development success given he was only a 5th rounder.

[imref]

Promoted to Rochester!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Promoted to Rochester!

backfill a couple of starts for Rutledge. I think the AAA season goes longer than other levels. I take it now it's a given he'll be added to the 40 man roster this off-season. Lefty at AAA with any sort of track record is precisely the kind of guy who gets grabbed in rule 5.

[imref]

backfill a couple of starts for Rutledge. I think the AAA season goes longer than other levels. I take it now it's a given he'll be added to the 40 man roster this off-season. Lefty at AAA with any sort of track record is precisely the kind of guy who gets grabbed in rule 5.

he started last night and got shelled. They removed him in the 4th with no outs: 3+ IP, 4H, 5R, 5ER, 4BB, 3K, HR

[imref]

Absolutely shelled tonight. ERA now north of 17.

3.1Ip, 7H, 7ER,   3BB,   7Ks   2HRs

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Absolutely shelled tonight. ERA now north of 17.

3.1Ip, 7H, 7ER,   3BB,   7Ks   2HRs

in 2 starts over 6.1 innings in AAA at the end of the year. His work in AA was much better.

[imref]

Final start: 4IP, 4H, 0ER, 0BB, 8Ks

Really excited to see what he does next year.

[Natsinpwc]

Nice