Lots of Frustration

BOBBY PARNELL - RP
2011 stats - 4 W, 6 L, 3.64 ERA, 64 KO, 59.1 IP

Bobby Parnell has been on the Mets radar for a number of years now but it also seems as if he's always on the radar for Triple-A Buffalo.  There's no question that Parnell has the talent of a major league pitcher and a fastball to prove it.  Numerous times throughout the 2011 season, the scoreboard would indicate that a Parnell heater topped out at over 100 mph.  But there's where it seems to end with him.  Parnell has the mindset that he will just be able to blow hitters away with his fastball.  News flash, all major league hitters can hit a fastball, no matter how hard it's being thrown.

Parnell does not have enough secondary pitches; pitches that he can effectively use to keep the hitter honest and just off balance enough.  If the hitter's eyes do not leave the level plane that Parnell constantly throws on, than it's a piece of cake for them.  And a headache for the Mets.

Last season, as the Mets were in the midst of trading away closer Frankie Rodriguez, Parnell stepped up and stated that he wanted to be the closer for this team.  He wanted the closer role for the future.  Well, he struggled when given that opportunity a year ago and because of that, will not be the closer in 2012.  He's not even second in command should a back up be needed.

Parnell now needs to focus on his secondary pitches and learn a better way to attack big league hitters.  It's either that, or a potential trip back down to the minors so other pitchers can show him how to get it done.