DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: NL West—Parra excelling in leadoff role
Apr 6 2013
Gerardo Parra (OF, ARI) is getting a chance to lead off in the early going, and he is having a great deal of success from the top spot. Manager Kirk Gibson suggested that Parra will remain there at least until either Willie Bloomquist (SS, ARI) or Adam Eaton (OF, ARI) returns from injury.
Bloomquist has yet to resume baseball activities, so he won't be ready by April 11, the first day he is eligible to return. Even when he does return, he is not an everyday player, nor does he make for a good leadoff hitter. He has a .318 career on base percentage (OBP), which includes a .305 mark against right-handers.
Parra's career .334 OBP is nothing special, but he's just 25 years old and has a .349 mark since the beginning of...
Almost!
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