Zack Parker

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #8 prospect in 2004
  Parker could be the best San Jacinto lefthander since Andy Pettitte, but he needs to stay on the mound to realize his potential. He has pitched just 285 innings as pro. He was shut down early in 2001 because of his juco workload and again in 2003 with bone spurs in his elbow. In between, he won 16 games in low Class A in his one healthy season. Parker commands a 90 mph fastball that should bump up a notch or two as he gets stronger. He backs it up with a solid changeup and an intense competitive drive. He has totally shackled lefties in two years in Class A, holding them to a .180 average and two homers in 233 at-bats. Because he has spent so much time on the sidelines, Parker's breaking ball is still a project. He has toyed with both a curveball and slider, and lately he has focused on the curveball. He'll have to prove he can stay healthy over the long haul. After full seasons in Double-A and Triple-A, Parker should get to Colorado in 2006. For now, the Rockies hope he can hold up for the entire year at Tulsa.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #8 prospect in 2003
  Parker turned down Louisiana State to sign as a draft-and-follow out of San Jacinto JC, and he might be the best Gators lefty since Andy Pettitte. Limited in his 2001 pro debut by a tired arm after a heavy workload at San Jac, Parker rebounded in 2002. He led the system in wins and innings. Parker's top pitch is an 88-93 mph sinker, and he throws it on a tough downward plane. He has good fade on his changeup, and throws it with fastball arm speed to keep hitters from picking it up. He has a hanging pickoff move that is a borderline balk. Parker's breaking ball has nice velocity, though it doesn't have the depth of a curveball or the late break of a slider. Parker's command is a game-by-game proposition. If he finds the plate in the first inning, he'll dominate. If not, he doesn't know how to adjust. He's a good athlete but gets himself in trouble by trying to rush things as a fielder. Parker has the ability to skip high Class A and jump directly to Double-A. He projects as a solid middle-of-the-rotation southpaw.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #24 prospect in 2002
  Sean Henn, who signed for $1.7 million with the Yankees out of McLennan Junior College, was the hot lefthander on the Texas juco draft-and-follow market last May. But rival San Jacinto had another in Parker, who like Henn was recruited by Louisiana State but never made it to Baton Rouge. San Jacinto has a strong pitching tradition led by alumni such as Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, and Parker has the stuff to follow them to the majors. He has a solid fastball that ranges from 89-93 mph, and he has a good feel for both a curveball and a changeup. Parker is athletic and has an easy arm action, but he needs to get stronger to develop into a big league starter. He got rocked in Rookie ball, showing his need to improve his command and secondary pitchers, but he rebounded in instructional league. Though he had elbow surgery while at San Jacinto, he made a full recovery and hasn't had any problems since. Parker most likely will pitch at Tri-City in 2002, but he could force his way into the picture at Asheville with a strong spring.