Crack of the Bat

by David Rawnsley

 

Parmelee - Is he the Top Bat?

 

Chris Parmelee of Chino Hills (CA) HS has quietly established himself as perhaps the best hitter in the 2006 high school draft class.  In a draft year that is as overloaded at the top with pitchers as any in draft history, the left handed hitting Parmelee stands as good a chance of being drafted in the first round as any high school position player in the country.   No scout has ever thrown the 6-1, 190 lb Parmelee’s name around on a list of top “5-tool” talents.  In fact, a few years ago, Parmelee was a somewhat overweight young man who took the field as much as a left handed pitcher than as an outfielder/first baseman.  Those are factors in his gradually moving his name up the prospect lists.  Another factor is Parmelee’s determination to make himself the best player he could be.   “Chris has always had a lot of baseball talent,” says Mike Spiers, Parmelee’s coach during the summer and fall for the past four years.  “But where many players are satisfied with being good, Chris has never been satisfied.  He not only works hard on the physical parts of the game, he works hard on the mental aspects.  He’s just a pure baseball player.”

 

While Parmelee was named an AFLAC All-American after his junior season, he still hadn’t completely convinced all the Perfect Game staff. 

 

“Mike Spiers had been telling us for a long time that Parmelee had to be one of the best 10 players in the country,” says PG’s Andy Ford.  “We knew Chris was real good because we’d seen him plenty of times, but we didn’t think he was quite at that level (top 10).  But Mike had seen him play literally hundreds of times and he knows what’s going on in the rest of the country.  After what we saw at the PG National in Turner Field, the WWBA Championship in Marietta and again in Jupiter last November, we were totally convinced.”

 

Parmelee led the Bulldogs to a third place finish at the 2005 World Wood Bat Association World Championships.  His stat line looks like something out of a Barry Bonds hitting streak.  In 6 games Parmelee was 7-10 at the plate.  11 walks.  3 home runs.  6-6 in stolen bases.  That’s a .700 batting average, a .857 OB% and a 1.400 slugging percentage.

 

“In a national championship tournament of this caliber,” says Spiers, “you just don’t see quality pitchers, pitchers who think and know they are top prospects themselves, pitching around a hitter.  But they did that with Chris.  And when they did throw a strike, he attacked it.  That’s a very rare skill.” And Parmelee did this with hundreds of scouts including many MLB Scouting Directors glued in on him.

 

Parmelee’s combination of plate discipline and power stands out among his skills, but he just isn’t a hitter.  His raw physical tools are solid and he maximizes them on the field which is noteworthy.  Parmelee regularly throws 86-87 mph off the mound and the same from the outfield.  His glove work and actions at first base is advanced.  While Parmelee is around a 7 flat type runner, his baserunning instincts are exceptional and make him a constant threat to steal or take the extra base.

 

A scholarship to national power Cal State Fullerton awaits him next year, but Parmelee has been open about his desire to play professional ball if the scouts think he is a high enough draft choice. 

 

When compared to the first pick of the draft in 2000, another California high school product and L/L 1^st baseman, Adrian Gonzalez, most Perfect Game scouts favor Parmelee’s ability by a sizeable margin.  Time will tell!

 

Parmelee took a few minutes out from his busy school/workout/baseball schedule to answer a few questions.

 

What’s your daily baseball routine and what are you working hardest to improve on?

 

I try to get my running in everyday, along with going to the gym and getting some weight lifting done.  On the field, I play long toss everyday and always hit at least 250-300 balls a day minimum.  You just can’t get enough batting practice.  In a general sense, I’m working on improving my arm strength and overall speed.  I know I need to keep improving on hitting off speed pitches.

 

You’ve played in many Perfect Game/WWBA events.  How have they impacted your baseball development?

 

It’s been great to have had the opportunity to play with and against some of the top talent in the country.  It’s given me lots of exposure in front of college coaches and professional scouts.  I believe it’s helped my skills tremendously.

 

Any favorite memories from the years of traveling to play?

 

I’ve really enjoyed the traveling part of playing with the Bulldogs and hanging out with my teammates, both at the field and at the hotels.  I enjoy the baseball environment of playing everyday and being at the field everyday.  That’s going to be a great part of pro ball if I get that chance.

 

Who is the toughest pitcher you’ve faced?

 

Kasey Kiker (a fellow AFLAC All-American from Phenix City, Alabama).  He’s a left hander with nasty stuff.  When he has all three pitches working, you’re in for a battle .

 

Do you pattern yourself after anyone in your style of play?

 

Some people have said that I play like Jeremy Burnitz (299 career home runs, 6 seasons over 30 HR’s), but I haven’t patterned myself after anyone.  Vladimir Guerrero is my favorite player.

 

First Base or Outfield?

 

Doesn’t really matter to me.  I just want to be in the line up.