Blake Parker

Parker attended Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 16th round of the 2006 MLB draft, being signed by scout Brian Milner.\n', ' He began his professional career in 2006 as a catcher, and didn’t start pitching until 07, splitting the season between the AZL Cubs (11 games) and Boise Hawks (8 games), going a combined 2-0 with a 2.39 ERA. Was an AZL post season all star in 2006. In 2008, he played for three teams - the Peoria Chiefs (23 games), 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. In 71 2/3 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. In 63 ​1⁄3 innings, Parker allowed 44 hits and struck out 77 batters.\n', ' He 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. Parker was released from the Cubs in May 2015.\n', '