Colorado Rockies: Ranking the 40-Man Roster: 16-20

Number 19

Gerardo Parra: Outfielder Points: 123 Highest Rank: 19 Lowest Rank: 22

Colorado Rockies

Gerardo Parra will receive a considerable amount of playing time this season, not because of his 2016 performance but  because of how much the Rockies still owe him. He signed a three-year contract in the 2015 offseason. Based on his play in Milwaukee he deserved that contract. He was then traded to the Orioles where he earned a -1.1 WAR.

That did not deter the Rockies signing Parra who essentially took over for Corey Dickerson in left field. Parra slashed .253/.271/.399 in 2016. It was easily the worst season of his career. He had a -2.8 WAR in 2016 which is among the lowest in the Majors among regular position players.

The ankle injury he suffered in June did not help his chances at returning to his productive self. Moving him to first after Mark Reynolds went down didn’t help keep continuity in Parra’s game either.

The Rockies should play Parra in the outfield to see what he has left. He deserves that opportunity just from his clubhouse presence alone. There is a reason the team wore Parra for President t-shirts all season. If he is to get re-elected for another term, he must show more patience at the plate. The amount of money he is making should give him more opportunities to return to the electric presence he has brought in the past.