On Friday, the Baltimore Orioles acquired outfielder Gerardo Parra from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league pitcher Zach Davies. A native Venezuelan, the 28-year-old Parra was signed as an amateur free agent in 2004 by Arizona. He made his big-league debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in May 2009 and went on to finish eighth in the voting for National League Rookie of the Year. In 2011, he won a Gold Glove as left fielder. Two years later, in 2013, he won another Gold Glove as a right fielder, becoming the first player to win the outfield-specific award at two different positions. On July 31, 2014, he was traded to the Brewers. Exactly one year later, on July 31, 2015, he was dealt to Baltimore. On Saturday night, Parra makes his Orioles debut. He’ll be hitting second and playing left field.
At the time of the trade, Parra’s .886 OPS ranked sixth in the National League. He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds. According to baseballreference.com, the player that Parra is most similar to is Beals Becker, who retired exactly 100 years ago (they just don’t make names the way they used to). As for guys whose names you might actually recognize, the player whom Parra’s most similar to is Mariners outfielder Austin Jackson.
So that’s the CliffsNotes on Parra. Earlier Saturday, I caught up with him to find out a little bit more, both baseball-wise and off the field. Here’s the skinny:
You’ve pretty much always worn a number than has an 8 in it. Here in Baltimore, you’re wearing 18. What’s the story behind that?
Parra: "When I was 7 or 8 years old and started playing baseball as a little boy in Venezuela, every time I take No. 8. Even in the minor leagues, and a couple times here in the big leagues, I only want to take 8. I think it’s my lucky number. But I can’t take No. 8 because of Cal Ripken, so I take 18."
You’ve played all over the outfield and have hit all over the lineup. Do you care where you play?
Parra: "Doesn’t matter -- I just want to play every day. Even if I play short, third base, second base, I just want to help the team."
When you’re not playing baseball, what’s your favorite thing to do?
Parra: "I like to stay with my family and watch soccer. My favorite is [Lionel] Messi from Barcelona. I play a little bit, but not too much."
What’s your favorite movie?
Parra: "I like the Jackie Robinson movie, "42." It’s my favorite. I’ve seen it in English and Spanish. I’ve seen it like 20 or 30 times. I’ve watched it with my wife, with my brother, with everybody."
What’s your favorite music?
Parra: "I like salsa, meringue, hip hop, reggaeton, bachata. My favorites are Oscar D'Leon, Chino & Nacho, and Silvestre Dangond from Colombia."
Do you have a nickname?
Parra: "El Yolo (JOL-LO). My grandmother was called La Yola. Her name was Yolanda, but her nickname was Yola. So she started calling me Yolo. That’s what my family calls me. In the clubhouse, they call me GP."
How did you hear about the trade to Baltimore?
Parra: "I got a phone call from the general manager of the Brewers, Doug Melvin. It was like 10:30 in the morning. I was trying to make breakfast -- eggs and hash browns. He said, “You’re going to Baltimore, thanks for everything.” It was a quick call, maybe two minutes. After that, Dan Duquette called me and gave me the welcome. Then I got the plane ticket and flew here."
What’s it going to be like, coming over to the American League?
Parra: "It’s one league. Same players. Same ball. Don’t think too much."
New-look lineup: Parra -- who has made 100-plus starts at each of the first, second, seventh and eighth slots in the batting order during his career -- will bat second Saturday for Orioles manager Buck Showalter. As fate would have it, he’s 8-for-14 lifetime off Anibal Sanchez, who starts for Detroit. Between that, and the unwritten rule that says a guy making his debut for a new team always seems to go off (see: Snider, Travis and Parmalee, Chris), expect big things from Parra on Saturday. … Manny Machado remains in the leadoff spot, where he’s posted a snazzy slash line of .308/.548/.927 this season. … Matt Wieters makes just his second career start at first base. The first one came way back on Aug. 21, 2011. For what it’s worth, Wieters went yard that night. Do with that information what you will.
Hurtin' hurlers: Mike Wright has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf. He was lifted during the fifth inning Friday with what was originally described as a cramp. Saturday in the clubhouse, he was in a walking boot. He won’t travel with the team on their upcoming West Coast trip and will instead report to Sarasota on Sunday, along with Steve Pearce, who’s trying to work his way back from a strained oblique. Reliever Jorge Rondon was called up to take Wright’s place. In 24 games with Triple-A Norfolk, Rondon posted a 0.94 WHIP. On the flip side, he’s already 27, has spent 10 years in the minors and has pitched a grand total of two major league innings. So temper your expectations. … Chris Tillman’s sprained ankle is improving, but Showalter said it’s “more than likely” that he’ll miss his next scheduled start on Monday. Wright had been called up in the event that Tillman wasn’t ready. Now, with Wright out, the Orioles will likely be scrambling to find a starter.
