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Memories of Bobby Parnell

Edgy MD Feb 18 2016 05:49 PM

My strongest memory is the day he hit 103(!!) on the gun. I thought, "That can't be right... thing needs to be re-calibrated." Then I thought, "Nonetheless, that is impressive." Then I thought, "His arm isn't going to last any longer than Joel Zumaya's did."

Centerfield Feb 18 2016 06:23 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

I remember when he came up he had the blazing fastball that would get too much plate. He had no real secondary pitches. I thought he would suck. Reminded me of Kane Davis. Then he learned the knuckle curve from Izzy, learned to move that fastball around, and became a very good pitcher. I thought he could be part of a great bullpen last year. But it never came to pass. Would have loved for him to get a shot on a minor league deal, but I understand you can't bring back everyone. Had a dumb beard.

Ceetar Feb 18 2016 06:27 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

pretty damn good reliever for a number of years until he got hurt. Recovering from Tommy John last year with no control, but expect he'll be useful this year.

Ashie62 Feb 18 2016 06:29 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

Hillbilly Beard. Young enough for middle relief somewhere.

Edgy MD Feb 18 2016 06:29 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

He came out of a small school (Charleston Southern, 3,600 students) where he was as skinny as a rail, swung between the pen and starting, and put up an 8.86 ERA his last year there, and got nonetheless taken in the ninth round by a Mets team that saw something. #scouting

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 18 2016 06:34 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

Yeah lots of good memories in the Adopt a Prospect forum including the time his dad came on here. I've been very circumspect about him ever since he got hurt the first time. Still an admirable kid who was probably more successful than we had a right to expect when he was a puppy.

themetfairy Feb 18 2016 06:35 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

So much unfulfilled potential. The feeling that he could have been great. Then he just started falling apart physically.

G-Fafif Feb 18 2016 07:03 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

Y'know that bunch of bananas you bought that went from inedibly green to sadly brown without ever being delectably yellow when you actually wanted one? Parnell was briefly a top banana, but spent a lot of time working out the kinks on either end of ripeness. High point: First half of 2013, when I thought (for a spell) he might get an All-Star nod considering it was going on in his home park. Finished up the ten-inning nose-bleed one-hitter for Harvey in early May. Saved three of the five games during the week the Mets swept four from the MFYs. Low point: The temptation is to say Opening Day 2014, when he let the save and his season get away (sure he's lost a few miles off his fastball, but he'll be fine), but sadder was his inability to contribute to his first extended pennant race a year later. Wasn't bad as a setup man until late July, but when he couldn't do it anymore, he really couldn't do it anymore. Lasting image: That expression of his that indicated he was certain something somewhere was about to go very wrong. Maybe it comes from being part of a family of firefighters.

seawolf17 Feb 18 2016 07:24 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

Edgy MD wrote: He came out of a small school (Charleston Southern, 3,600 students) where he was as skinny as a rail, swung between the pen and starting, and put up an 8.86 ERA his last year there, and got nonetheless taken in the ninth round by a Mets team that saw something. #scouting That's my lingering memory; he was drafted despite awful stats, and became a solid part of our bullpen for years.

Centerfield Feb 18 2016 07:42 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

seawolf17 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: He came out of a small school (Charleston Southern, 3,600 students) where he was as skinny as a rail, swung between the pen and starting, and put up an 8.86 ERA his last year there, and got nonetheless taken in the ninth round by a Mets team that saw something. #scouting That's my lingering memory; he was drafted despite awful stats, and became a solid part of our bullpen for years. Yeah, he was definitely one of those "hidden gems" we saw alot of a few years ago. Parnell, Niese, Murphy, Duda and deGrom were all sleeper picks that turned into very good, serviceable big league ballplayers. Justin Turner too.

HahnSolo Feb 18 2016 08:25 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

2009 (thought it was 2008 at Shea, but looked it up and i was wrong) he made a Friday night start against the Giants, six innings, 3 hits, no runs, 7 Ks, 0 BBs. Only remember it cuz I was there.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 18 2016 11:02 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

I remember Parnell striking out some batter on a 100+ MPH breaking pitch. The batter said it was the nastiest pitch he'd ever encountered in his entire life. I thought for sure that if Parnell was still around, he'd be a key player in a Mets turnaround. You never know. [fimg=333]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1533/24485730324_7c4a908b5b_o.jpg[/fimg]

MFS62 Feb 19 2016 02:25 AM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

You looked at the stuff. You looked at the radar gun. Then you looked at the conversion rate of about 2/3 of his save opportunities. (OE: 60.7 %) It was baffling. Still is. Later

Edgy MD Feb 19 2016 03:34 AM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

I wouldn't make much of save conversion rates. It's a very deceptive stat. It's more fair to add up saves and holds, because you get a credited with a "blown save" if you give up the lead in the sixth or seventh inning — a situation that was never going to be a save under any circumstances. So guys who transition from bullpen role players to closers over the course of their careers have a lousy save percentage, because they're getting tagged in the denominator for unsuccessful outings during their periods as setup men, but not getting credit in the numerator for successful outings. He's had 59 holds to go with his 37 career saves. With 24 "blown saves" (which are really blown leads), that gives him a 79.2% conversion rate, which strikes me as more or less healthy.

MFS62 Feb 19 2016 02:30 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

Edgy MD wrote: He's had 59 holds to go with his 37 career saves. With 24 "blown saves" (which are really blown leads), that gives him a 79.2% conversion rate, which strikes me as more or less healthy. When we saw that 103 MPH stuff, expectations were set higher. And, maybe our perception of him was clouded by looking across the river at Mariano. I guess you're right. Bobby was ok. We can't bash him for not being Rivera. Nobody was. Later

seawolf17 Feb 19 2016 03:01 PM Re: Memories of Bobby Parnell

I was really disappointed late in the season when he just had nothing. He looked defeated every time he was out there.