Manny Parra

Early on in 2014 with Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton on the DL, the Reds used Parra in high-leverage situations, and he converted an early save chance. But his performance suffered after he injured his neck and back, so he faded away much like most of the Reds' bullpen. Of particular concern with Parra is his skyrocketing walk rate -- he walked 4.4 batters per nine innings in 2014, 1.5 batters higher than 2013. Any hope of him being more than a lefty specialist appears to be dashed.

Parra was able to reinvent himself as a lefty specialist, holding them to a .167 BAA while giving up just two extra-base hits. Unfortunately, he faced just as many righties as he did lefties, getting lit up to the tune of a .310 BAA and 12 extra-base hits. He signed a two-year deal to remain with the Reds in November, presumably to continue his new role and get in better situations where he doesn't face as many right-handers.

The Brewers used Parra in a number of roles over the past few seasons, but he has not posted a sub-5.00 ERA since 2008, so the team decided to let him go rather than pay a salary that would have topped $1 million. Erratic is a good word to describe Parra's overall performance, but he did allow just a .562 OPS to left-handers last season, so he could slot into a situational lefty role with his next team.

Parra missed all of 2011 due to back and arm problems, eventually having surgery in August to remove a bone spur. Despite re-signing with the Brewers, he may need to prove he's healthy in spring training in order to make the team. His presence would provide the Brewers with a much-needed left-handed option out of the bullpen.

Parra continued last season his run at being the most hittable pitcher in major league history. He finished with a 5.02 ERA in 122 innings as both a starter and reliever. His .352 BABIP is in line with his career average, which is the highest by a pitcher with 400 or more IP since the 1800s. What's most shocking is that Parra misses a lot of bats. He struck out 9.5 per nine innings in 2010, but when hitters do make contact, they hit it hard, as he had a career-high 1.33 HR/9IP mark. Control is also an issue for Parra, and he's often prone to giving up a big inning in his starts. The Brewers will keep him around for another season due to that tantalizing strikeout rate, but there isn't much to indicate he'll turn things around. It's also likely that his transition to the bullpen will become permanent in 2011.

Parra continued his maddening career in 2009 by looking both brilliant and inept on the mound, sometimes in the same game. He still walks far more batters in the majors than he did in the minor leagues and is hindered by the long ball. His career BABIP of .349 is the highest of any pitcher with more than 300 IP since 1900. One would think that he's just been hit by a massive amount of bad luck, but that theory is starting to wear thin. The Brewers have little choice but to send him out there as part of their rotation again in 2010 so he'll get another chance to succeed. He may be worth a late-round flyer, simply due to his potential and the fact that he'll get a chance every five games.

Parra never seemed to be able to harness his stuff and live up to his preseason potential in 2008 and was eventually demoted to the bullpen in September. While he had great command coming up through the minors, he couldn't reproduce that in the majors and allowed 4.07 BB/9IP. He still has a lot of potential and was hurt by a .337 BABIP so he may have been a bit unlucky. The Brewers still expect him to be part of their rotation in 2009 which could make him a decent buy low or late-round fantasy pick with upside.

Parra tore through the minor leagues in 2007, including a perfect game for Triple-A Nashville. He hasn't been healthy in a number of seasons and now he's finally living up to his potential. He has a low-to-mid-90's fastball and very good command of all of his pitches. The Brewers will likely try to take it easy on him to start the season and may put him in the bullpen, but he's good enough to be in the rotation on Opening Day.

Parra returned from a few injury plagued seasons to put up solid numbers between High-A Brevard County and Double-A Nashville. Between the two levels he had a 2.93 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 86 innings. He allowed 40 walks, but just eight in the last 31.3 innings, showing good improvement in that area as the season progressed. Before the injuries, control was one of Parra's best attributes, so if that starts coming around then he could be a good sleeper. The left-hander likely will start the season in Double-A or could get bumped to Triple-A Nashville and could even see some time in Milwaukee by season's end.

Parra was bothered by injuries again in 2005 and ended the season with shoulder surgery in early September. When healthy, he's a top pitching prospect for the Brewers, but he hasn't been healthy for a while now.

Parra had a disappointing season due mainly to injuries that kept him from pitching. When he was healthy he did very well, posting a 3.48 ERA for high Single-A High Desert, which is one of the most hitter friendly parks in all of the minors. He continued his mastery of the strikezone, allowing only 19 walks in 73 1/3 innings while striking out 74 during 2004. A shoulder injury forced him to miss the Arizona Fall League and should be a concern. He's likely to start the season at Double-A but could be a fast mover with a good season.

Parra is one of the Brewers top pitching prospects and he showed why last season in low Single-A Beloit. He finished season with a 2.74 ERA but what was most impressive was his 4.88 K/BB ratio. He has complete command of his pitches and should be part of the Brewers starting rotation in 2005 if he can continue his success at Double-A Huntsville in 2004.