Manny Parra

Manuel Alex Parra (born October 30, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds.

Early life Parra graduated from Casa Roble High School in Orangevale, California, in 2000. In addition to pitching in high school, he also played first base. He graduated from American River College in Sacramento, California, in 2002. He was selected as the National Junior College Player of the Year by Baseball America that season. In 14 games, he had a 7–2 win–loss record with a 2.02 earned run average (ERA).

Professional career

Milwaukee Brewers Parra was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. Shoulder problems resulted in a slower-than-expected advancement through the Brewers' minor league system for the draft-and-follow prospect. They had also hindered the left-hander's ability to pitch deep into games, having only gone over 100 innings pitched in his 2003 season at Class A Beloit. After beginning the 2006 season at Class A-Advanced Brevard County, he was promoted to Double-A Huntsville in August and selected to participate in that year's Arizona Fall League. Through 5 years of professional baseball, Parra had a career minor league record of 28–15 with a 3.22 ERA.

Parra attended spring training with the Brewers in 2007 where he allowed no runs or hits while striking out 3 batters in innings over 4 relief appearances. This was only the third nine-inning perfect game in Pacific Coast League history. Six ground outs and 10 fly outs accounted for Parra's other outs in the game. Parra appeared in eight more games, including two starts, which forced him to finish the season on the disabled list. his split-finger fastball was the most effective among major league starting pitchers. He remained in Milwaukee's starting rotation through 2009. Problems with his back and the necessary surgical removal of a bone spur in his throwing elbow resulting in him missing the entire 2011 season. He continued in a relief role for the Brewers in 2012, but was non-tendered at the season's end and became a free agent. After five years with Milwaukee, Parra held a 26–33 record with a 5.12 ERA in 74 starts and 98 relief appearances. From June 11 to July 28, he had a 19-game, 15.1 inning scoreless streak. In a year where he filled in for the high expectations of Sean Marshall, he shined, going 2–3 with a 3.33 ERA and 16 holds, striking out 56 in 46 innings (57 games). He entered June with a 6.23 ERA, and starting on June 11 to the end of the season, he had a 1.78 ERA in 35.1 innings.

On November 27, 2013, Parra agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million contract with Cincinnati. In 150 relief appearances from 2013 to 2015, Parra accumulated a 3–8 record with a 3.91 ERA before reaching free agency after the 2015 season. Despite a strong showing in spring training, he was released by the Cubs and resigned to a new minor league contract on the same day on March 29. Ultimately, Parra missed the entire 2016 season following Tommy John surgery in early April. On January 27, 2017, he was signed to a minor league contract and pitched out of the bullpen on 11 occasions for Chicago's Triple-A Iowa Cubs. he later signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on February 27, 2018. He made 45 relief outings for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, recording a 4.28 ERA with 53 strikeouts across innings pitched. Parra elected free agency following the season on November 2.

Leones de Yucatán On June 1, 2019, Parra signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. In 23 games (1 start) 27 innings he went 0-2 with a 3.67 ERA and 23 strikeouts.

Parra did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mariachis de Guadalajara On March 11, 2021, Parra was loaned to the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League, a new expansion team. In 8 relief appearances, Parra posted a 3.18 ERA and 5 strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.

Leones de Yucatán (second stint) On July 19, 2021, Parra was returned to the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He made 6 appearances for Yucatán, registering a 1–1 record and 3.27 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 11.0 innings pitched.

Parra retired from professional baseball in February 2022.