Mets 11th Round Pick - LHSP Franklin Parra - Copiague HS (Updated Photo)

Access Baseball –

           Every once in a while a kid will burst onto the scene and make a name for himself in a short period of time. While most of the elite players are identified as soon as they enter high school, others develop later or struggle to put it all together. Copiague LHP Franklin Parra fits this latter description.

The flame-throwing southpaw has been the topic of discussion this summer ever since his dynamite showing in Georgia. He has since dominated Long Island hitters, averaging 2.5 Ks per inning on the mound while also compiling a 1.250 OPS at the plate. He certainly has a chance to get drafted next season.

I had the chance to watch him play yesterday and it lived up to the hype. The Dominican-born pitcher struck out three over two shutout innings while hitting 93 MPH with his electric fastball and 83 MPH with a slider. I spoke with him after the game through a translator, and here’s what he had to say.

Newsday –

           Top5 Long Island Players –

                       FRANKLIN PARRA - Copiague, LHP, Sr.

He was born in Santo Domingo and came with his parents to the United States in grade school. He played middle school baseball in Lindenhurst before moving to Copiague, where he has matured into the ace of the pitching staff.

“There is a slight language barrier for him that can be difficult,” Copiague coach Bill Bennett said. “His parents don’t speak any English. And he’s had some learning hurdles but he’s made huge strides socially and those adjustments have helped him in the classroom.”

The 6-2, 185-pound lefthander has been visited by more than 20 MLB teams. He struck out 35 in 19 innings as a junior and worked with private pitching instructor Paul Parsolano through the fall and winter.

Now Parra let’s his game do all the talking. He communicates through his 92-mph fastball, vastly developed changeup and a nasty slider. His curve is of major league quality with such late break it freezes batters.