Southpaw Hurler Manny Parra Never Lived Up To His Potential in Milwaukee

Manuel Alex Parra was born in 1982 in Carmichael, California. He graduated from Casa Roble High School in nearby Orangevale, both suburbs of Sacramento. The left-hander was selected in the 26th round of the 2001 MLB Amateur Draft by the Brewers as a ‘draft-and-follow’ player. Manny Parra attended American River College in Sacramento for two years and elected to sign with the Brewers in May 2002 for a $1.25 million signing bonus. Parra was named the National Junior College Player of the Year by Baseball America.

About signing with the Brewers, Parra said, “…I can move up quickly in that organization. They definitely need pitching.” That didn’t quite happen, as it took Parra six years to reach the majors. He moved from Double-A Huntsville to Triple-A Nashville in 2007, pitching a perfect game in his second start with Nashville. A month later, he was called to Milwaukee, where he made nine appearances (two starts) before suffering a broken thumb in late August. He finished the season on the disabled list and ended with a record of 0-1, an ERA+ of 120, and a FIP of 3.35 across 26 innings pitched.

In 2008, Parra spent the whole season with the Brewers, won 10 games, and compiled a slightly below-average ERA+ (96) and a FIP of 4.16 across 29 starts and three relief appearances. He did lead the National League in one category: wild pitches. His 17 errant offerings tied for first with Tim “Big Time Timmy Jim” Lincecum, who led the NL three times.

Parra started the 2009 season in Milwaukee but was sent to Nashville to work on ‘control issues.’ Parra was recalled after four starts in the minors and finished the season with the Brewers. He won a career-high 11 games but had a sub-par ERA+ of 65, a FIP of 4.88, and an astronomical ERA of 6.36 across 140 innings and 27 starts.

Spring training 2010 saw Parra battling with Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, and Chris Narveson for the final two starting spots. Bush and Narveson got the spots, while Parra started the year in the 'pen. Parra pitched well in relief the first two months and then got pressed into a starting role when Doug Davis was lost due to injury. Parra made 15 starts between late May and late August but struggled, losing seven of nine decisions while giving up 16 gopher balls in just 77 innings, a rate of 1.87/9 IP. He also walked 44 batters, a BB rate of 11.7%. Parra compiled an ERA+ of 80 for the season and a 4.51 FIP across 42 appearances (16 starts).

Parra’s 2011 season was a total train wreck, as he went on the DL in spring training, made a handful of rehab appearances in the minors, and missed the rest of the season with a back injury and elbow surgery.

The southpaw pitched strictly in relief for Milwaukee in 2012, making 62 appearances. He once again struggled with his command, walking batters at a rate of 12.8%. After the season, the once-promising prospect had become a middle reliever and was granted free agency. The Cincinnati Reds signed him in February 2013.

Parra spent three years with the Reds, making 150 relief appearances. Despite solid numbers, including an ERA+ of 98, a FIP of 3.45, and a reduced BB rate (8.1%), he was granted free agency after the 2015 season. The Chicago Cubs signed him to a minor league contract, but he missed the whole season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April. Parra would never pitch in the majors again.

Over the next several seasons, Parra pitched in the minors for the Cubs and the San Francisco Giants. He also pitched a few games in the independent Atlantic League and one final season in the Mexican League. Parra retired from professional baseball in February 2022.

Over eight major league seasons, Parra had a record of 29-41, an ERA of 4.90, an ERA+ of 84, and a FIP of 4.17.

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