Bobby Parnell Gives The Bullpen Someone Who Can Throw Heat

Josh Thomson of the Journal News spoke to September callup and top Mets prospect, Bobby Parnell.

The Mets’ top pitching prospect, Jonathon Niese, got the start last night, but perhaps the next best young arm is Bobby Parnell. The 6-foot-3 right-hander was among 10 call-ups, nine of whom joined the team when rosters expanded yesterday.

The 23-year-old Parnell made 29 starts in Binghamton and New Orleans this season but will join the bullpen here. His last outing at New Orleans came in relief, and his most recent relief outing before that was his pro debut in 2005.

The Mets hope to work Parnell into a lopsided game to get him comfortable. They will see if his power arm (97- to 98-mph fastball) can help. “We’re interested to see how he does in the back end,” assistant general manager John Ricco said. “We’ll see if he can be a guy who can get some outs for us.”

Niese didn’t speak to reporters yesterday, but Parnell said he was anxious to help in whatever way possible. “I feel like I can pitch from the bullpen the way I’ve been pitching,” he said.

The thought of having someone come out of that bullpen and throw some Major League heat is a tantalizing thought.

We currently have an assortment of different relievers who can do different things, but none that can hit 98 MPH on the radar gun. I’m looking forward to seeing Parnell pitch in a game real soon.