Time’s Almost Up For Colorado Rockies’ Kyle Parker

Aug 11, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder K. Parker (16) makes an out on New York Mets center fielder Y. Cespedes. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies’ outfielder prospect (?) hasn’t show much of anything in (granted, limited) big league time the last couple years. Is this it?

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This will come as quite a sad realization to the guys over at Purple Dinosaur Podcast who have been trying to #FreeKyleParker for the better part of the last decade, but very soon here, the Colorado Rockies will be put to a decision about their no-longer-a-prospect outfielder.

To put it bluntly, Kyle Parker has not impressed in the big leagues this year, in now his second go-round. I’ll write off 2014 (he had 26 at-bats); the first taste of the big leagues is tough for most guys and you learn nothing about a young player in just 26 at-bats.

But it’s tougher to write off 2015, where even though he still came in with rookie eligibility, he didn’t take a step forward at the plate in now 101 at-bats (as of Tuesday morning, he’s slashing just .168/.215/.297). No, 101 at-bats does not a season make, either, but progress would’ve been nice, and the Rockies got none of that.

I don’t have to tell all of you (but I will!) about David Dahl, and later Jordan Patterson, and after that Raimel Tapia who are coming up to the big leagues in a hurry. Nor do we have to go over the existence of Corey Dickerson, Charlie Blackmon, and Carlos Gonzalez in the outfield now — with Brandon Barnes the seemingly steady back-up (until a hamstring injury last week shut him down for the year).

Granted, CarGo and/or Blackmon may be traded this winter, and Dickerson’s health was a great concern this year, so there might be a short-term opening for Parker somewhere to at least play a little bit. Plus, Dahl, Patterson, and/or Tapia could be delayed, or any other number of things could happen for Parker to see some kind of playing time and (maybe?) get consistent enough at-bats to prove himself.

Let’s be real, though; the writing is on the wall for Parker in a stacked outfield with more prospects soon coming. But — there’s always a but — Parker could find a saving grace where the Colorado Rockies need help: first base. Parker’s been tried at first base before, and while nothing stuck there, it’s clear the Rockies are open to moving outfielders around at that spot, as they did with Matt McBride earlier this year until he, too, wore out his welcome in Denver thanks to very little production at the plate (oh yeah, and Justin Morneau’s return).

With Morneau likely gone this winter as a free agent, and Wilin Rosario hopefully traded somewhere that’s a better fit for him, there might be a path for Parker to open next year on the big league roster as a fifth outfielder/right-handed hitting first baseman, spelling Dickerson and CarGo in the corners and Ben Paulsen at first (all three of those guys hit left-handed, of course).

Whatever the path may be, it’d be wise of the Rockies to explore something like that, because if they don’t, there’s just not much else out there for him in Colorado. I’m pessimistic Parker will ever take hold in this outfield as shinier prospects make the climb through the minor leagues, but Kyle was also too strong of a prospect himself just a few years ago to completely wash your hands of this quickly.

What would you do with Kyle Parker next year?

Time’s Almost Up For Colorado Rockies’ Kyle Parker

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