Since this is the mid-season write-up, it's just a quick overview of the player. When we get to the preseason re ranking in the offseason, they'll be a lot more involved.
All stats are current as of 8/4/2019.
All write-ups were published during all-star week.
Prospect #27: RHP Tommy Parsons
Springfield Cardinals
Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2018
Age 23
Over the last couple of years, I don't think an organization has drafted or signed more players that go by the name of "Tommy" than the Cardinals. If I thought that the Baseball Reference Play Index provided that info, I'd buy it right now. That's the kind of pathetic life that I live.
I really don't know what the future holds for Parsons. He's struggled so far at Springfield, but his stuff seems better than the person that occupies the 29th spot on this version of the D35, even though that pitcher has had more success than Parsons. Both are very early into their tenure with Springfield, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's eventual balance between those two. You'll get to know prospect #29 soon enough. TAKE A BREATH.
I really like Parsons breaking pitch. He gets in trouble because he often slows down his mechanics and his arm to throw it, but it's a big breaking pitch. It pairs very well with his fastball when he's locating his fastball in the upper-half of the strike zone. His fastball, by the way, can reach the mid-90's and stay that way for a great deal of his start. I will say that I feel like he's over-throwing it since getting the promotion to AA. Maybe he's trying too hard to blow it by hitters. Maybe that's causing some of the command and success issues that he's had. I'll dig more into that over his coming starts.
In the past, the best part of Parsons has been his command of three pitches. Again, that command seems to be somewhat fringe-y so far for Springfield. What hasn't been on the fringes is his change-up. It's a plus offering, and you couldn't even debate that fact. Here's two of them to Pirates stud prospect Travis Swaggerty:
While he's been beat around at Springfield so far, he's still fun to watch pitch. Here's a five pitch-mix that gives you an idea of his repertoire:
Parsons is a smart pitcher with a strong understand of the craft. He's the prototypical "coaches favorite player", and I'm asked about him as often as I'm asked about any of the pitchers in the organization that haven't made a major league debut. As an undrafted player from a Division III baseball program, he's the Jason Simontacchi-type pitcher that you just have to root for.
Thanks to Fangraph for the stats!
Thanks For Reading!!