PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Palka, Bray Top 2013 Draftees Coming to Missoula

Published on June 16, 2013 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MONT. -- Players like Paul Goldschmidt, Miguel Montero, and Gerardo Parra have a couple of things in common. One is that they've become mainstays of the Arizona Diamondbacks' lineup. Another is that they started their professional careers with the Missoula Osprey. Eight members of Arizona's 2013 draft class hope get the chance to follow in that trio's footsteps.

Highlighting today's player additions are this year's 3rd round pick 1B Daniel Palka, 6th round pick OF Colin Bray, young right handed pitcher Felipe Perez, veteran reliever Jose Jose, and current Dback and former Osprey Gerardo Parra's brother, pitcher Geordy Parra.

The newcomers are part of a group of 14 players - including the brother of a current D-back -- that will join the Osprey this season, the team announced Sunday. In all, 29 players are on O's roster, after today's announced group joins the 15 who were named on Saturday. Of the 29 players, 18 came from the draft, 11 were acquired as free agents, and 7 of those free agents are from the Diamondbacks Dominican Academy. Of the 18 drafted players, 8 were top 10 round draft picks.

"We like our team. Actually, we like our team a lot," gushed Osprey Executive Vice President Matt Ellis. "We have lots of team speed and athleticism with players like Taylor, Munoz, Garcia, and Bray. Then we have some big time power bats in the middle of the order with Palka and Trahan. Last, our pitching staff has a great combination of youth and veterans that will be exciting to watch get opponents out. On paper we look pretty good. However, we have lots of work ahead to pull together as a team in a short period of time."

The highest pick from this year's draft to head to Missoula is Daniel Palka, a 6' 2", 225-pound first baseman from Georgia Tech taken in the 3rd Round at #88 overall. The native of Lyman, SC was a .314 career hitter with the Yellow jackets and is coming off a junior season in which he set career highs in each Triple Crown category -- batting .342 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI in 62 games. Palka earned Louisville Slugger All-America honors and was a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Award as the nation's top player. Palka, 21, was a .314 career hitter with the Yellow jackets. MLB.com's scouting report says he "has as much raw power as anyone in the class."

Sixth Round selection Colin Bray (#180 overall) is also on his way to the O's. The switch-hitter from Vancleave, MS, brings size (6' 4", 205 pounds) and athleticism to the Missoula outfield. The 19-year old played at Faulkner State Community College in Alabama this spring, hitting .406 and slugging .531 with a .467 on-base percentage. He also stole 15 bases in 16 tries. MLB.com says Bray, a three-sport star in high school, "reads the ball well off the bat and has plenty of range for center field."

The highest-drafted pitcher set to join the Osprey is Steve Hathaway, a 14th Round pick. The 6' 2", 175-pound lefty played a versatile role for Franklin Pierce University (NH) this spring, working as both a starter and a reliever. The Acton, MA resident gave up 25 hits in 31 innings and posted a 2.90 ERA. Hathaway struck out 10.74 batters per nine innings and helped lead the Ravens reach the NCAA Division II World Series.

Three other draft picks will help comprise the O's infield corps this season - Jake Mayers (19th Round), Antonio Alvarez (22nd) and Jake Miller (27th).

Mayers joins the pro ranks after a senior season at the University of Richmond (VA) in which he led the Spiders in both batting average (.359) and ERA (2.10). At the plate, he added seven home runs and 37 RBI while slugging .531. On the mound, Mayers finished 3-2 with two complete games. He's a two-time 1st Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and is the conference's reining Field Player of the Year. Mayers received national attention this past May 5 for an on-field victory that had nothing to do with the Spiders' game that day. He proposed to his girlfriend, Lauren, on the infield - and she said yes.

Alvarez, 21, comes to Missoula after a college career that ended at Elon University (NC). This spring, the Miami, FL native hit .300 with four home runs and 48 RBI and helped the Phoenix qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Alvarez hit .357 in four post-season games, including a four-RBI day against UNC-Wilmington in the opener of the Charlottesville Regional.

Miller was a consistent four-year performer at Baylor University (TX), finishing with a .283 average. The 22-year old from Houston hit .286 as a senior and matched a career-high with 31 RBI.

Geordy Parra - the younger brother of D-backs' outfielder Gerardo Parra - is among seven other pitchers announced Sunday. The 19-year old right-hander signed as a free agent in 2011 and comes to Missoula after stints in the Arizona and Dominican Summer leagues last year. The younger Parra has struck out 72 batters in 71 2/3 professional innings.

Felipe Perez, 19, signed as a non-drafted free agent last August after a star career at Fairmont Prepatory Academy (CA) and a stint with Team USA's 16U Team in 2010. He is considered one of the Diamondbacks top pitching prospects, although, early in his development and career.

20th Round pick Adam Miller, 23, isn't a typical rookie pitcher. The righty started his college career at Brigham Young University in 2009, only to put baseball on hold to fulfill a two-year mission for the Church of Latter Day Saints. He returned to the diamond in 2012 and went 4-8 for the Cougars this spring.

Right-hander Bud Jeter, the D-backs' 25th Round pick, brings a reputation as a workhorse to the Osprey. This spring at Presbyterian College (SC), the 6' 3", 205-pound right-hander threw seven complete games in 14 starts and worked nearly eight innings per appearance.

Robby Buller, a 35th Round pick last year, missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and moves to the mound after starring as a designated hitter at Houston Baptist University (TX). Buller set the Huskies' single-season home run record with 16 in 2011 on his way to a second straight selection to the All-Great West Conference 1st Team.

Another addition to the pitching staff includes 6' 5" lefty Francisco Guzman. Guzman joins Blayne Weller, who was announced Saturday, as the tallest guys on the team at 6-5. The book on Guzman is that he has good solid stuff but has yet to develop command of all his pitches.

Two other pitchers come to Missoula on their journey up the D-backs chain. Jose Jose has posted a 2.22 ERA over his first three pro seasons while limiting opponents to a .188 average. Last year, at short-season Yakima, Jose struck out 37 hitters in 32 2/3 innings - a rate of 10.19 per nine. Eric Meyerchick signed with the D-backs as a free agent in the summer of 2012, then went 3-2 with two saves in 18 relief appearances in the Arizona League.

The 2013 version of the Missoula Osprey which will be led by new Manager Robby Hammock will arrive in Missoula on Monday. Media Day will be Tuesday with workouts also beginning that day. The Osprey will have two days of workouts prior to Thursday's start of the season.

The defending Pioneer League Champion Osprey begin their season on June 20 at home against the Helena Brewers. Tickets can be purchased at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 N. Higgins Ave, by phone at (406) 543-3300, or online at www.missoulaosprey.com.

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