Top Prospects #11: Jordan Parraz

#11 Jordan Parraz

Age: 25
Pos: RF
HT/WT: 6-3/215
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Via trade with Houston Astros as ptbnl for Tyler Lumsden
ETA: 2010

I am still somewhat shocked that the Royals were able to acquire anything of value for lefty Tyler Lumsden, and the fact that they did just speaks volumes on the value that teams place on left-handers with potential. Jordan Parraz is an interesting player because externally he has solid tools all across the board, but has never ranked highly as a prospect. As a twenty-four year old in the Texas League Parraz rolled to a slash line of .358/.451/.553 but his season was hampered by a couple of hamstring injuries.

Parraz has good gap power and Royals personnel insist that they believe his stroke will one day generate a fair share of home runs for a corner outfielder, but this is yet to be seen. Parraz has great plate discipline and owns a career .382 on base percentage as a pro. Not only has Parraz been a consistent hitter as a pro, but he has also stolen 106 bases in 157 tries, so there is some speed there. He has average range for a rightfielder and might have the top outfield arm in the entire system. Parraz will undoubtedly get some time in triple-A Omaha before being given an opportunity at the Major League level but other than Kila Ka'aiue, Parraz is probably the most major league ready hitter in the system and his major league triple slash equivalent in 2009 was a respectable .272/.340/.401. Odds are that Royals fans will get their first glimpse of Parraz as a September call up in 2010 or even earlier barring any injuries or trades.