Parker Continues To Impress

Zach Parker isn’t just the Lancaster Barnstormers’ ace, he’s the leagues.

The 27-year-old has had a stellar start to the season thus far, pitching himself to a 2-0 record with a 1.32 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 27 innings.  He’s among the Atlantic League’s leaders in all four categories.

“He’s got good movement on his fastball.  It’s not overpowering, but his placement is very good,” Barnstormers manager Von Hayes said. “He knows how to throw strikes; he gets ahead of hitters.”

Hayes compares the southpaw to a pitcher he once played with: Shane Rawley.

There’s one major difference between Parker and Rawley: Rawley appeared in 469 big-league games compared to Parker’s zero.

“In 2006, I went to big league camp with the Rockies and I was starting in Triple-A, but that’s when my shoulder problems started,” Parker said. “I think, if I would have been healthy throwing there, I would have had as good a shot as anyone to get called up.”

Parker’s first stint in the Atlantic League came last season, after the Rockies released him.  He’s been working on getting healthy (he is now) and proving he’s ready to re-join an organization.

“I’m trying to take it outing by outing right now,” Parker said, referring to how well he’s pitching.

The pinnacle of Parker’s season so far came on a May 5 start against the Camden Riversharks.  In that game, the left-hander tossed nine innings of two-hit, shutout ball.

“That game was huge for us,” Hayes said. “Our bullpen was depleted and we didn’t have too many options.”

“That was my goal to go nine innings and give our guys a break,” Parker.

That’s the quality of a staff ace: Someone who steps up to carry his team when they need him most.

“If people would consider me an ace, it makes me want to go out there and work harder every day to prove them right.”

Parker’s been proving people right since the start of the season.