Parker began his professional career in 2006 as a first baseman, third baseman, and catcher, and did not start pitching until 2007, splitting the season between the AZL Cubs (11 games) and Boise Hawks (8 games), with a combined record of 2–0 and a 2.39 ERA. He was an AZL post-season All Star in 2006.[3]
In 2008, Parker played for three teams—the Peoria Chiefs (23 games; with whom he was a Midwest League mid-season All Star), the Daytona Cubs (20 games), and the Iowa Cubs (two games)—going 4–2 with a 2.13 ERA and 12 saves in 45 games combined.[3] In 712⁄3 innings, he allowed only 50 hits while striking out 75 batters.
He split the 2009 season between the Tennessee Smokies (10 games) and Iowa Cubs (45 games), going a combined 2–3 with a 2.70 ERA, saving 25 games in 55 appearances. His 22 saves with Iowa were 5th-most in the Pacific Coast League.[4] In 63+1⁄3 innings, Parker allowed 44 hits and struck out 77 batters.[5] He then played for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League, and was named a Rising Star.[3]
Parker began the 2010 season with the Iowa Cubs, and split the year between Iowa (35 games) and Tennessee (13 games), going a combined 1–5 with a 4.21 ERA. In 2011, he went 4–5 with a 3.23 ERA in 53 games split between Iowa (37 games) and Tennessee (16 games).
The Cubs promoted him to MLB on May 17, 2012.[6] He pitched only six innings with the Cubs in 2012.[5]
In 2013 with the Cubs he was 1–2 with one save and a 2.72 ERA, in 49 games, as he struck out 55 batters in 461⁄3 innings.[5]
In 2014 with the Cubs he was 1–1 with a 5.14 ERA, in 18 games, as he struck out 24 batters in 21 innings.[5] With Iowa, he was 0–1 with a league-leading 25 saves and a 1.77 ERA in 35 games.[4] He was a Pacific Coast League mid-season and post-season All Star in 2014.[3]
In 2015 he did not pitch in the major leagues, and was limited to three games at Triple-A Iowa, as he had season-ending surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow.[5] Parker was released from the Cubs in May 2015.
Seattle Mariners (2016)
On December 17, Parker signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners promoted Parker to the major leagues on August 4, 2016, and he pitched only one scoreless inning for them in 2016.[7] In 2016 he was again a Pacific Coast League mid-season All Star, playing for Tacoma.[3]
New York Yankees (2016)
On August 9, 2016, the New York Yankees claimed Parker off of waivers.[8] With the Yankees, he was 1–0 with one save and a 4.96 ERA in 16 games.[1]
Los Angeles Angels (2017–18)
After the 2016 season, the Los Angeles Angels claimed Parker from the Yankees off of waivers.[9] On November 23, 2016, Parker was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.[10] The Brewers designated him for assignment in December, and he was claimed by the Angels on December 23.[11]
The Angels named Parker to their Opening Day25-man roster for the 2017 season.[12] In his first season as an Angel, Parker enjoyed career bests in every statistical category. He was 3–3 with 8 saves and a 2.54 ERA, with 86 strikeouts in 671⁄3 innings, and pitched in 71 games (6th-most in the American League).[1] His WHIP of 0.83 tied for third-best among American League relievers.[4]
Parker signed a $1.8 million contract with the Angels for the 2018 season.[13] Despite pitching to a 2–1 record with a 3.26 ERA in 67 games while also collecting 14 saves, striking out 70 batters in 661⁄3 innings, and finishing 41 games (8th-most in the American League), he was non-tendered by the Angels in the offseason.[14][1]
Minnesota Twins (2019)
On January 14, 2019, Parker signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins.[15] On July 24, Parker was designated for assignment by the Twins.[16] In 2019 with the Twins, he was 1–2 with 10 saves and a 4.21 ERA, in 37 games.[1]
Philadelphia Phillies (2019–2020)
On July 30, 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Parker to a major league contract.[17] For the Phillies in 2019, he was 2-1 with a 5.04 ERA in 23 games (2 starts; the first of his professional career) over 25.0 innings in which he struck out 31 batters (11.2 strikeouts per 9 innings).[1] Parker re-signed with the Phillies organization on a minor league deal on February 5, 2020. On August 11, Parker was selected to the active roster. In 2020 for Philadelphia, Parker pitched to a 3-0 record with a 2.81 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 16.0 innings pitched in 14 appearances.[18] On October 30, 2020, Parker was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Cleveland Indians (2021)
On February 16, 2021, Parker signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization, worth $2.5 million in incentives, and was invited to the Indians' 2021 major league spring training camp.[19] He began the 2021 season with the Columbus Clippers of the newly-formed Triple-A East. On June 5, 2021, Parker was selected to the active roster.[20]
Parker became a free agent on November 3, 2021.
St. Louis Cardinals (2022)
On March 26, 2022, Parker signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[21] In 26 appearances for the Triple–A Memphis Redbirds, he struggled to a 6.59 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 27+1⁄3 innings pitched. Parker was released by the Cardinals organization on July 6.
Personal life
Parker and his wife, Jordan, have three sons and one daughter.[13]
