Blake Parker

Richard Blake Parker (born June 19, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cleveland Indians. Parker was drafted by the Cubs in the 16th round of the 2006 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2012.

Career Amateur Parker was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He attended Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, and the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. In 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Parker was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 16th round of the 2006 MLB draft,

In 2008, Parker played for three teams—the Peoria Chiefs (23 games; with whom he was a Midwest League mid-season All Star), the Daytona Cubs (20 games), and the Iowa Cubs (two games)—going 4–2 with a 2.13 ERA and 12 saves in 45 games combined. In innings, Parker allowed 44 hits and struck out 77 batters. He then played for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League, and was named a Rising Star. He pitched only six innings with the Cubs in 2012.

New York Yankees (2016) On August 9, 2016, the New York Yankees claimed Parker off of waivers. With the Yankees, he was 1–0 with one save and a 4.96 ERA in 16 games. On November 23, 2016, Parker was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers designated him for assignment in December, and he was claimed by the Angels on December 23.

The Angels named Parker to their Opening Day 25-man roster for the 2017 season. In his first season as an Angel, Parker enjoyed career bests in many statistical categories. He was 3–3 with 8 saves and a 2.54 ERA, with 86 strikeouts in 67 innings, and pitched in 71 games (6th-most in the American League). After pitching to a 2–1 record with a 3.26 ERA in 67 games while also collecting 14 saves, striking out 70 batters in 66 innings, and finishing 41 games (8th-most in the American League), he was non-tendered by the Angels in the offseason. On July 24, Parker was designated for assignment by the Twins. In 2019 with the Twins, he was 1–2 with 10 saves and a 4.21 ERA, in 37 games. For the Phillies in 2019, he was 2-1 with a 5.04 ERA in 23 games (2 starts; the first of his professional career) over 25.0 innings in which he struck out 31 batters (11.2 strikeouts per 9 innings). On October 30, 2020, Parker was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Cleveland Indians (2021) On February 16, 2021, Parker signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization, worth $2.5 million in incentives, and was invited to the Indians' 2021 major league spring training camp. He began the 2021 season with the Columbus Clippers of the newly-formed Triple-A East. On June 5, 2021, Parker was selected to the active roster.

Parker became a free agent on November 3, 2021.

St. Louis Cardinals (2022) On March 26, 2022, Parker signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 26 appearances for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, he struggled to a 6.59 ERA with 36 strikeouts across innings pitched. Parker was released by the Cardinals organization on July 6.

Personal life Parker and his wife have three sons and one daughter.