Gerardo On Par(ra) In Debut….

The Arizona Diamondbacks promoted OF Gerardo Parra (no relation to the Brewers Manny Parra) from Double A and he wasted no time in making an impact for the Diamondbacks. In Parra’s 1st major league AB, he smacked a 1-1 pitch from Reds’ pitcher Johnny Cueto over the RF fence for a HR. With that HR, Parra became just the 100th major leaguer to hit a HR in his first ever AB.

Parra hits 1st HR in 1st AB

Parra is the latest “babyback” to be inserted into Arizona’s lineup. He played CF in place of the struggling Chris Young. However, with Conor Jackson on the DL, Parra should be playing LF on a regular basis. I say “should” because the way the DBacks think (IE: hiring AJ Hinch as manager) who knows how much playing time he will get. What I do know is the DBacks would be fools right now to play Eric Byrnes over Parra.

Here are some other facts about Gerardo Parra…..

Age

22

College

None – Went to Santa Barbara Del Zuila HS in Venezuela

Drafted

None – Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2004

Minor League Stats

2007

Single A: .320 avg with 6 HR’s, 57 RBI and 24 sb’s in 110 games

Single A+: .284 avg with 2 HR’s, 14 RBI and 1 sb in 24 games

2008

Single A+: .301 avg with 2 HR’s, 19 RBI and 12 sb’s in 50 games

Double A: .275 avg with 4 HR’s, 33 RBI and 16 sb’s in 73 games

2009

Double A: .361 avg with 3 HR’s, 22 RBI and 7 sb’s in 29 games

Keith Law Ranking and Analysis

Ranking: #91 out of the top 100 best prospects in baseball

Analysis: “Parra has good hands and takes a short path to the ball, hitting to all fields and making solid adjustments to off-speed stuff. He’s a plus glove in a corner outfield spot with a 65-70 arm, and should be at least average in center. As a center fielder, he should be an everyday player because he’ll hit for average and get on base, but if he has to move to a corner for any reason, his lack of power will be a problem. He’s short to the ball but his swing plane is very flat and he has no loft in it, resulting in a lot of ground balls but not enough power. That’s not an easy adjustment to make to a hitter’s swing, but it’s not impossible, and Parra is strong enough to hit 20 homers in the big leagues if his swing would permit it. The defensive value will get him there regardless.”