12
2013
It’s Time for Parnell to Stand and Deliver
An article by 
You won’t like me when I’m angry…
Bobby Parnell has been something of a wildcard for the Amazin’s each of the past few seasons. He has been bounced all around the pitching staff, however in 2012 seems to have found himself a home in the late innings of New York Mets baseball games.
The question remains however, which inning does the young fireballer belong? He hasn’t exactly found success as a closer, but has proven to be a very effective set-up man. With Frank Francisco likely starting the year on the disabled list,–and better off staying there–Parnell has been handed the job and has a golden opportunity to prove he deserves to stay there. In his six Spring Training games, he is certainly on the right track, but the question is will Parnell be able to incorporate this exceptional performance into higher leverage situations as the year goes on. The common perception among Met fans is no, Parnell is not a big game pitcher, however if we see this Bobby throughout the 2013 season, we could be looking at a completely different pitcher than in years past.
Parnell overall went 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Last season, despite a history of having command issues, walked only 20 in 68.2 innings pitched. He also struck out 61 and opposing batters only hit .249 off him with a .303 on-base percentage, both career bests for Parnell.
Let’s see some swagger in 2013!
The now 28-year old had seven saves, three of which came in September out of just as many opportunities. Also pitching to a 0.60 ERA in the final month of the season, Parnell definitely showed signs that he can handle the ninth.
Although it has only been a matter of six outings down in St. Lucie, Parnell has dominated every time he has been out on the mound this past month. Will that electric stuff continue? That remains to be seen. Throughout his career, Parnell has struggled when the going gets tough, however so far it appears as if we are seeing a changed athlete. One who wants the ball when the game is on the line. One who doesn’t get around hitters, but goes after them and blows them away.
Which Bobby Parnell will show up? I can’t say. But in my opinion, these Spring Training outings, unlike most, are a sign of more than just a hot start in a few meaningless games.
We have slowly seen progression from Parnell each of the past four seasons, and I believe 2013 is his time to shine.
Thoughts from Joe D.
I don’t have much to say other than to look at my images in this post and their captions. It’s time to see some fire in the belly from Parnell – not in the seventh inning, but in the ninth. It’s put up or shut up time for Parnell. He’s not a kid any more and it’s time to man up… No more “deer in the headlights” look either… It’s time to get mean… It’s time to get angry…
About the Author: Clayton Collier
Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Parnell stories like this pop up every spring and the answer is no. He is not a shut down closer and never will be. He wilts under pressure and has one of the worst save rates in baseball over the last 3 years.
He wilts under pressure and has one of the worst save rates in baseball over the last 3 years”
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Thus showing the uselessness of the blown save stat as a measurement of non closers. The fact that they can’t accumulate saves at a reasonable rate because of lack of chances, it forces the use of an even dumber stat, holds. Including that moves Parnell to a 83% success rate, not elite, but certainly not even remotely close to bad.
To further show how dumb the sv/blsv/hld stats are, Frank Francisco had a 89% success rate which would be elite.
Parnell is 28 going on 29 and no longer a kid. I think it’s safe to say he is what he is, just your garden variety middle reliever.
sure. he looks like he has his stuff together, and is the best option they have at the moment, so go for it.
I am very skeptical of Parnell succeeding. My only hope is that he finds the intestinal fortitude to use his good stuff to saving effect.
For Parnell I think it’s 80% mental or better.
Attitude! Attitude!! Attitude!!!
he is not at all the same pitcher he was a few years ago, so I am not writing him off based on what he did or did not do back then.
Life is about progression and Parnell has shown that. He is not the same pitcher he was in 2011…we saw a lot of growth. Now, does that make him capable of handling the closer position? We will have to wait and see on that one. He certainly has the arm to close games. The big question is the mindset. Everything tends to be magnified in the 9th inning and when failure does occur, which it does, a closer needs to be able to erase it from his memory within 24 hours. Can Parnell do this?
At this moment, he is the Mets best option. I am going out on a limb here and state that Parnell might be the answer. We saw a lot of progress from him last season just like Niese. Maybe he is finally coming into his own and his head is catching up with his ability. Parnell will not relinquish the job is my guess.
How many middle relievers in MLB are right-handed, throw in the mid-upper 90′s, are inconsistent and would really benefit from a 2nd “out” pitch? Almost all of them.
What’s special about Parnell? Instead of all these articles stating the promise and potential of Parnell I’d really like to see articles that convince me he is different from any of the gazillion middle relievers out there.
Parnell’s pretty much done everything one could hope. He’s gotten better year by year, became more of a pitcher vs thrower, he gets more groundballs, and he’s stopped trying to strike everyone out.