Rangers pick up Parker « Barnstormin’

Rangers pick up Parker

May 12, 2008 by Jason Guarente

Many speculated that it was only a matter of time until the Barnstormers lost P Zack Parker to affiliated ball. It happened today. The lefty signed with the Texas Rangers and will be sent to Double-A Frisco.

Parker was one of the Atlantic League’s best pitchers this season. He was 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in four games. His departure comes as the Barnstormers are scrambling to shore up their struggling pitching staff.

“It’s bad timing,” head of baseball operations Keith Lupton said. “Naturally, you hate to lose a guy like that. On the other hand, you’re happy for him. I think we all felt it was going to happen. I thought it might happen two weeks from now.”

The Barnstormers made an immediate move to replace Parker. They acquired the rights to P Nick Renault from the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League for a player to be named later.

Renault, 28, is a 5-11, 190-pound righthander who has never played affiliated ball. He spent two seasons in the Frontier League before joining the Jackhammers in 2007. He comes with the recommendation of Wally Backman, who manages Joliet. Here are his career stats.

“He’s in the 28-30 range and they have no room for anybody that age,” Lupton said. “He’s a starter, a hard-nosed type. He’s a guy Wally says is not afraid to pitch inside. He’s ready to go.”

The Barnstormers haven’t officially signed Renault, but he’s expected to join the team on Tuesday. P Sendy Rleal is also expected to arrive Tuesday, although probably not in time to pitch in the game against Somerset.

At the moment, the Barnstormers’ projected rotation includes Tim McClaskey, Eric Ackerman, Mike Nannini, Ricardo Gomez and Renault. Yamel Guevara could become a starter once he gets himself stretched out to pitch more innings.

Posted in Atlantic League, Lancaster Barnstormers, Northern League, Pennsylvania, Sports, baseball, minor leagues | 32 Comments

32 Responses to “Rangers pick up Parker”

on May 12, 2008 at 3:15 pm1 deuce

Jason- You saw this one coming. After that gem he threw last Wednesday it was only a matter of time. I wish him the best of luck.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:15 pm2 maize & blue

Awesome, and well deserved based on his performance. But what a void the Stormers have to fill.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:16 pm3 Mark

Close the door, the first half just ended.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:18 pm4 maize & blue

Can the Barnstormers talk Josh out of retirement?
on May 12, 2008 at 3:23 pm5 radicalstormerfan

To heck with Josh… we want Denny!!! WE know your out there Denny… stop by for a visit.. and bring your glove !!!!!
on May 12, 2008 at 3:29 pm6 Jason Guarente

Even if they talked Stevens out of retirement, his rights belong to SoMd because of the Ian Bladergroen trade.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:31 pm7 djspleen

Congrats Zack.

I guess he can be added to the Alumni page now.

Such a bittersweet moment.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:41 pm8 mr barnstormer

WOW, we are screwed!
on May 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm9 Amy

Congratulations to Zack!! That’s great for him!
Hopefully, he will continue to move up!

Hope the team can find another pitcher like him!
on May 12, 2008 at 3:45 pm10 Pitchfork

it’ll be a huge void to fill…couldn’t have come at a worse time but I tip my hat to Parker and wish him future sucess!
on May 12, 2008 at 3:49 pm11 djspleen

Yeah, we lost our ace, but just like any other starter he pitched only once a week.

If other aspects of the game (bullpen, situational hitting, offensive consistency) don’t improve it wouldn’t matter if we had THREE Zack’s on the team…we still would have problems.

Don’t give up hope yet.

If nothing else improves soon…THEN you can give up hope.

A question I have, who are all these “players to be named later” that we’re trading away?

Maybe Von and/or Keith just want to use these guys for awhile and pull the ol’ Harry Chiti clause…send them back to the teams they originally came from.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:56 pm12 mr barnstormer

We could of had Wally’s World!! grrrrrrrr

At least he would be a fun train wreck to watch.
on May 12, 2008 at 3:58 pm13 Pitchfork

The guy they picked up is from the Frontier league…I don’t think he’ll make it here with his stats Cuz it’s a huge jump in competition for him. Single and double A ball guys have it rough in this league. Maybe he’s here til they can sign someone better….
on May 12, 2008 at 4:03 pm14 Pitchfork

DJ your right about if the hitting with men in scoring position doesn’t improve it won’t matter even if the pitching improves I think. That was our #1 problem last year. Oh and I’ll add that I’m also a Browns fan.
on May 12, 2008 at 4:05 pm15 Mark

LOL…based on the brief conversation I had with Denny Harriger earlier this year, he’d rather hack off his throwing arm than return to the AL. Can’t say I blame him, too. I don’t recall Stevens being all that consistent last year, too. In fact, I remember reading “Jekyll and Hyde” a number of times last year when his name came up.
on May 12, 2008 at 4:20 pm16 dopeydawn

Best of luck Zack and sure goin to miss ya!!! Hope to see ya move up!!!
on May 12, 2008 at 4:33 pm17 Stormin' In York

Way to go Zack. And playing for a Texas organization. Can’t beat that. Did someone clone him before he left, I hope.
on May 12, 2008 at 4:34 pm18 thunderbaseball

A) Good for Parker. A long overdue signing.

B) Talk of bringing a pitcher out of retirement 20 games into the year = long season
on May 12, 2008 at 4:34 pm19 kelly

God Luck Zack sorry to see you go but we all saw this coming
on May 12, 2008 at 4:55 pm20 bring ross back or ill throw my season tickets away

Now it time to bring back ross
on May 12, 2008 at 5:08 pm21 mr barnstormer

wow, “bring ross back or ill throw my season tickets away” is actually working up a good argument.
on May 12, 2008 at 5:29 pm22 Booby

Maybe Glenn would come back as our DH!!
on May 12, 2008 at 5:39 pm23 Mark

Glenn Murray was great last year. I don’t know how he was as a coach but he had a great sense of humor and that was probably more important last year.

“PUT IN GARCIA!” still makes me laugh.
on May 12, 2008 at 5:44 pm24 Booby

Zack….Good Luck…..see you on TV in Arlington
on May 12, 2008 at 5:53 pm25 Stormin' In York

So the million dollar question is:

Will Zack move up to the Rangers before Scott moves up to the Yankees?
on May 12, 2008 at 5:56 pm26 Ultimate Barnstormers Fan

I got to go with Zack Sorry Rad/Syd!
on May 12, 2008 at 5:58 pm27 maize & blue

The Yankees need starting pitching . And they have good prospects in their system to work a trade. I can see Scott as part of a trade package to acquire a starting pitcher. With another team I think Scott has a chance.
on May 12, 2008 at 7:38 pm28 luelui

Well this is a fine kettle of fish, LOL. I think Cylo needs to warm up his throwing arm!

After being assaulted by the sales pitch men around the concourse I’ve come to the realization that they’re pitching better then the the Stormers. Think about that one for awhile?? Could be fresh meat for the grinder.

I won’t be at Tuesday’s BS (Barnstormer’s not Bulls@#%) game. Pen’s and Flyer’s take precedence. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it a lot better.

Off for now to watch Red Wings and Stars.
on May 12, 2008 at 7:44 pm29 Maureen

I won’t be at the game Tuesday, the boy has a band/orchestra concert. I can listen on the way home.
on May 12, 2008 at 8:01 pm30 Booby

Step back please and Stay AWAY from the Radio
on May 12, 2008 at 10:40 pm31 lil fil

Zack good luck with the Rangers organization. Glad to have seen you pitch and glad to talk to you before the games. Will always be a barnstormer to me.

Keep it going.
on May 13, 2008 at 12:28 am32 Mr. C.

Good Luck, Zack! I know we will see you in the “Show”.
You are one of the Lancaster Barnstormers Best Players.
We will miss you!