https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5yVp_42nMk
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.
Was baseball always your favorite sport?
At first I didn’t know I was going to like any sports until I turned 12, so my friends started to invite me to play baseball in the streets. I started to play with them and I liked it, so I decided to learn how to play ball and my dad liked it so he decided to help me in everything he could. He still does it and I really thank him for it. So when I turned 14, I knew I could get far and my friends told me that I had a lot of talent so I decided to put in hard work and effort because this is the sport I like to play. I don’t like any other sport, but if I have to play it with my friends I will because i like to have fun with friends.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Just like I said, my dad is one of the people that always was on top of me and helped me even though he never played baseball. He helped me a lot and my most of my coaches such as Downey, Parsolano, Naccari and other coaches I had before them, such as Cesar Ramos. He’s was always helping me with my pitching mechanics.
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Who are some professional players you look up to?
