Seattle Calls up Former Explorer Parker Markel
May 12, 2019 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
RHP Parker Markel with the Sioux City Explorers
(Sioux City Explorers)
SIOUX CITY, IA - The Seattle Mariners announced today that RHP Parker Markel was selected from AAA Tacoma to the major league roster. Markel will take the place of Mariners' pitcher Felix Hernandez who was placed on the 10 Day IL.
Markel had his American Association contract purchased by the Mariners on September 24th, 2018. This season at 28 years old, Markel has dominated the AA and AAA levels. At both stops he made 13 appearances out of the bullpen, collected 4 saves, held a minuscule ERA of 0.52, and has struck out 35 batters to just 7 walks in 17.1 innings for a ridiculous K/9 of 18.2.
Markel was a consistent part of an excellent Explorers bullpen which put together an ERA of 2.97 and helped lead the team to a league best 71-29 record during the 2018 regular season. Markel made 37 appearances out of the bullpen and put together a 1-1 record with five saves and an ERA of 4.14. He also recorded 62 strike outs in 41.1 innings putting together a dominant K/9 of 13.5, while holding opponents to a batting average of just .244.
Markel's 2018 Explorers season began on a frightening note as during spring training he was struck in the head with a line drive. Though he was able to fight back from the injury to put together a good season. His 2018 season had many highlights including pitching two scoreless frames in extra innings against the Kansas City T-Bones on August 10th, picking up his lone win of the season as the Explorers would win in walk off fashion. He also put together a rare seven-out save in Winnipeg on August 17th. He would retire the final seven batters of the game with five of the outs being punch outs. Markel finished the 2018 regular season with 10.1 scoreless innings over his last eight appearances. In that time he allowed just four hits and four walks while fanning an incredible 18.
Markel was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 32nd round of the 2009 MLB Draft from Mountain Ridge HS (Glendale, AZ) but did not sign. Markel was once again drafted the following year after one season at Yavapai College (Prescott, AZ) by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 39th round. Markel would spend 7 years in the Rays system, pitching mostly as a reliever, owning a 34-26 record with a 3.99 ERA in 197 appearances.
Markel becomes Explorers player to play for Steve Montgomery and make it to the major leagues afterwards, and the first X's player to accomplish the feat since the Explorers joined the American Association.
Markel is joining the Mariners in Boston for the series finale against the Red Sox today at 1:05 pm EDT.
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 RHP Parker Markel with the Sioux City Explorers |
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