Scouting Report LHP Manny Parra

Parra was drafted in the 26th round in 2001 as a draft-and-follow pick, and he signed in 2002 with a bonus of 1.5 million. He underwent shoulder labral surgery in 2005 and also had a shoulder "clean-up" surgery this off-season. On some nights when you see Parra, you see why he used to be a better prospect than Gallardo. He even threw a perfect game in AAA. He had a superb minor league track record, with a 8.6 K/9 with 2.5 W/9. On other nights, he looks like Oliver Perez. The 27-year old lefty still has some time to figure it out, and the Brewers hope this year is where he turns the corner. Last year he started 27 games, but only had 11 quality starts (ew). He had an unsightly 6.36 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. For his career, he's 22-23 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. He's faced the Mets three times, starting two games, with an 0-1 record and a 4.7 ERA, 1.30 WHIP.

So looking at those numbers, why does he keep getting chances to pitch in the big leagues? 1) He's left-handed. 2) He has low 90s velocity, a quality curve and a sweet change-up/split. His fastball tails away from right handed hitters, but he struggles to come inside on righties. He has a big-breaking curve-ball (77 mph), a change-up he uses early in the count (86 mph) and a split which he uses as a strike-out pitch (85 mph). The last two years his fastball has been hit very hard; this year his fastball is slightly better, but his split and change-up are his two best pitches.

This year, he's only started one game and appeared in 17 games in relief. He's 1-3 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. He's still a strike out pitcher (8 K/9), but he's still walking too many hitters (3.86 W/9). His one start was May 18th versus the Reds and he lasted only four innings (84 pitches), let up four hits and four walks, but only one earned run. He has a very high BAPIP (.365) this year so he has the potential to significantly lower his ERA and WHIP as the season progresses. Again the Mets need to be patient, let him run up his pitch count, and get to the Brewers bullpen.