David Parrish Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Full name David Michael Parrish
Born 06/13/1979 in Ypsilanti, MI
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Michigan
Drafted in the 1st round (28th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2000 (signed for $1,425,000).

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Parrish has modeled himself after his father Lance, an all-star with the Tigers and currently a coach with the team. He looks the same and has similar actions at the plate and behind it. His power and arm are unrefined but project as well-above-average tools. He has worked hard to improve his catching skills and aptitude for the game. Parrish pressed early in the season but came on strong, hitting .415 in Big Ten Conference games. He was a 10th-round pick out of a California high school in 1997 and should be selected a little earlier this time around.

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The Yankees have liked Parrish for a while, drafting him in the 10th round out of high school in 1997. Though he was Michigan's MVP as a junior in 2000, several teams were surprised when New York took him in the first round. The Yankees, bereft of catching prospects, are intrigued by Parrish's upside, which resembles that of his father, former big league all-star Lance. David has raw power and arm strength, which he showed in his pro debut at Staten Island. Though he hit just four homers, he did stroke 20 doubles, and he finished second among New York-Penn League regulars by gunning down 37 percent of basestealers. Parrish still needs to refine all aspects of his game however. He needs to improve his plate discipline as well as his blocking and receiving skills. New York has a quality big league catcher in Jorge Posada, so it won't have to rush Parrish. He'll probably begin 2001 at Greensboro.

Except for Derek Jeter—and that's a major exception—the Yankees haven't been too successful in drafting first-rounders. When New York chose Lance Parrish's son this June, it was a bit of a surprise. The NY-P managers questioned Parrish's arm strength and game-calling abilities, but there was plenty to like. "He could catch and throw," Wilkerson said. "He moved real well back there. He didn't hit very well, but he looks like he can hit." Said Arnold: "He's worked very hard at trying to get a swing pattern that works for him. He has hit very hard recently, and he's thrown out better than 40 percent of the runners. When our pitchers have given him a chance, he does well at getting rid of the ball. He definitely has a chance to catch in the big leagues."

Except for Derek Jeter—and that's a major exception—the Yankees haven't been too successful in drafting first-rounders. When New York chose Lance Parrish's son this June, it was a bit of a surprise. The NY-P managers questioned Parrish's arm strength and game-calling abilities, but there was plenty to like. "He could catch and throw," Wilkerson said. "He moved real well back there. He didn't hit very well, but he looks like he can hit." Said Arnold: "He's worked very hard at trying to get a swing pattern that works for him. He has hit very hard recently, and he's thrown out better than 40 percent of the runners. When our pitchers have given him a chance, he does well at getting rid of the ball. He definitely has a chance to catch in the big leagues."