Mets Need To Open Door For Parnell to Close

In a year of malcontent and disappointment, where fans are left searching for hope in yet another lost season,  the talent and potential of the team’s youth provides promise.   This promise is perhaps best exemplified by right handed reliever Bobby Parnell, who is doing all he can to show that he will be part of the solution moving forward.

Robert Alan Parnell was selected out of Charleston Southern University by the NY Mets in round 9 (#269) of the 2005 MLB draft.  At the time  MLB.com offered the following analysis on the Mets selection:

"

Quirky delivery and solid FB. Could be an effective reliever. Medium frame. Lanky. Gaining confidence.”

"

It was the same draft in which NY selected Mike Pelfrey (9th overall) and Jonathon Niese (209th overall). As both Niese and Big Pelf solidify themselves as future mainstays in the rotation, Bobby is showing that he could very well provide similar stability in the bullpen.

Parnell spent his first 3 years after being drafted (2005-08) in the Mets minor league system and boasted an unspectacular 28-31 record (92 starts) with a 4.04 ERA. According to scouts his fastball was around  91 or 92 miles per hour during the first few innings before increasing to 95 or 96 as the game progressed.

It wasn’t until Spring Training of 2009 that his live arm and mental make-up made an impression on the Mets coaching staff, prompting pitching coach Dan Werthan to make the following comments:

I think he’s impressed everybody with his arm strength, but more than that, we’ve liked his demeanor.  We like his attitude when...TO READ THE REST OF THIS POST HEAD TO METSZILLA.COM BY CLICKING HERE:

http://www.metszilla.com/?p=11639