Trading Kyle Parker in Long Term Leagues

A former first rounder and college quarterback, Kyle Parker has finally been called up to the Colorado Rockies. Parker seemed like he was going to get an opportunity to start at first base this year before the Rockies signed Justin Morneau to man the position.

Parker has hit 20 home runs every season in the minors, and obviously anyone getting legitimate playing time in Colorado deserves getting a look. Unfortunately, it does not look like Parker will be getting that for the time being. He will probably be up for a bit as an extra bat and pinch hitter, as he did for his first appearance last night, but this does not look like a long term call up unless an injury in front of him happens.

As an owner of Parker in a dynasty league, I am pretty excited about him actually getting called up. I was concerned with what the Rockies thought of the 24-year-old, but they at least see him as on the cusp of being a regular if they are willing to call him up at this time. He hit .292 with seven homers in triple-A, marking the first time he had a sub-.198 ISO, but he still has netted a .360 wOBA which is pretty much right in line with what you would expect from him given his minor league history.
Before the season, ZiPS projected a .257/.318/.408 line. That’s certainly not what we would be hoping from the corner guy, so if you are looking for a reason to be concerned about him in long term leagues this is certainly one.

What you are banking on with Parker is that he is athletic enough and quality enough defensively to merit regular playing time in the near future, that he takes advantage of the extremely favorable park, and that he maintains an at least respectable BB/K rate.

Unfortunately, even as an owner of Parker and an advocate of his power, I think his call up is a good time to move him to a team looking for a near ready prospect. You have probably held onto Parker for a while now, but he doesn’t look like a promising bat even with his comfortable environment. If I were in a different position I would be looking to move him also. Perhaps a team on the bottom part of the league would be interested in taking a swing with Parker and hoping his athleticism carries him to big league success, but I think we’re looking at a lower part of the order hitter who will only really help a bit in home runs and not much else.