- We write quite often about kids being drafted from high school or perennial college powerhouses, and all tend to have potential high ceilings. With the season in its infancy, I have already touched on a pitcher from a D-II school and an undrafted free agent. Parsons hits the rare daily double by being an undrafted free agent, coming out from a D-III school (Adrian College, MI). The 6′ 4″ 185 lb right-hander, seeing his first full season, received a mention on opening day and now gets top billing for his second start of 2019. The 23 year-old marked a career-high with 8 innings last night, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 13 innings over his two starts. Dating back to his last three starts from 2018 at Johnson City (Appy League), Parsons has only allowed 2 earned runs in 33 total innings, with 2 walks and 23 strikeouts. This isn’t uncharted waters for Parsons, as he posted a 10.4 K/BB ratio (260 K in 269.2 IP) and a paltry 0.83 BB9 rate (25 walks) while at Adrian College. He commands a 3-pitch mix with a focus on his low 90’s fastball and change-up, which is his best offering.
TOP AL UTR PITCHING PERFORMANCE
RHP Ljay Newsome (HiA Modesto – Seattle) 22 years old 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K- Newsome reaches double-digit K’s for the first time in his pro career ( 5 seasons). I was surprised to see the 26th round pick in 2015 receiving a HiA assignment to begin the season. The 2-time UTR-OAS recipient (Legit UTR) had a strong 2018 season at Modesto, despite posting a 11.0 H9 and 1.6 HR9 rates in 26 starts. The 22 year-old even saw an early season start at Triple-A Tacoma. The soft-tossing righty has excellent command and is moving the ball around the zone, nibbling at the corners. Last night’s start backs-up his opening day outing where he struck out nine over five innings. Newsome can’t be found on any publication’s top 30 list for the Mariners, a system that’s on the weak side in regards to pitching. My system likes him and his 6.89 K/BB ratio in 354.2 career innings, and he shouldn’t be long for a test with Double-A Arkansas.
HiA Mentions – Starters RHP Riley O’Brien (HiA Charlotte – Tampa Bay) 24 years old 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, Win 1-0 RHP Casey Mize (HiA Lakeland – Detroit) 21 years old 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K Logan RHP Rony Garcia (HiA Tampa – New York Yankees) 21 years old 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
National League – Relief RHP Kyler Stout (HiA Visalia – Arizona) 24 years old 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K American League – Relief RHP Connor Law (LoA Lansing – Toronto) 24 years old 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Under The Radar Minors 