Parker Markel

{{Infobox MLB player

|name = Parker Markel

|image =

|image_size =

|position = Pitcher

|team = Free agent

|number =

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|9|15}}

|birth_place = Newport Beach, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 12

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Seattle Mariners

|statyear = 2022 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–1

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 6.84

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 27

|teams =

Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2019}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2019}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2022}})

}}

Parker Michael Markel (born September 15, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Oakland Athletics.

Career

Markel attended Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Arizona.{{cite web|url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/explorers/explorers-add-two-talented-pitchers/article_ec318bf5-bfd8-5249-b6d0-1f7c2a2dc95f.html|title=Explorers add two talented pitchers|publisher=siouxcityjournal.com|date=April 18, 2018|accessdate=May 12, 2019}} He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 32nd round of the 2009 MLB draft but did not sign. He attended Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona in 2010.

=Tampa Bay Rays=

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 39th round of the 2010 MLB draft, and signed with them.

Markel spent the 2010 through 2016 seasons in the Rays organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=571917#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL|title=Parker Markel|publisher=MiLB.com|accessdate=May 12, 2019}} During his time with them, he played for the Gulf Coast Rays, Hudson Valley Renegades, Bowling Green Hot Rods, Charlotte Stone Crabs, Montgomery Biscuits, and the Durham Bulls.

Markel split the 2016 campaign between Double–A Montgomery and Triple–A Durham, compiling a 7–3 record and 2.78 ERA with 58 strikeouts over 43 combined appearances. He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=August 3, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Sioux City Explorers=

Markel signed with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League during the 2016 offseason, but asked for and was given his release on March 27, 2017, after appearing in only one exhibition game for the Giants.{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170327003700315|title=Baseball club releases American pitcher|website=en.yna.co.kr|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=March 27, 2017|accessdate=May 12, 2019}}

Markel signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 18, 2017, but was released prior to the start of the season on March 25, 2018.

Markel subsequently signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the independent baseball American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, and spent the 2018 season with them.

=Seattle Mariners=

Markel signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on September 28, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/sioux-citys-markel-has-contract-purchased-by-mariners/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005195428/http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/sioux-citys-markel-has-contract-purchased-by-mariners/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 5, 2018|title=Sioux City's Markel has contract purchased by Mariners|publisher=americanassociationbaseball.com|date=September 24, 2018|accessdate=May 12, 2019}} He opened the 2019 season with the Arkansas Travelers and the Tacoma Rainiers. On May 12, Markel's contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/mariners-recall-dan-altavilla-and-select-parker-markel-d098e0c1102b?sf102610225=1|title=Mariners Recall Dan Altavilla and Select Parker Markel|website=marinersblog.mlblogs.com|publisher=Seattle Mariners PR|date=May 12, 2019|accessdate=May 12, 2019}} He made his major league debut that day versus the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS201905120.shtml|title=Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox Box Score, May 12, 2019|publisher=Baseball Reference|accessdate=May 13, 2019}} On July 23, 2019, Markel was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=https://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/mariners-select-inf-tim-lopes-from-aaa-tacoma-588112d02c87|title=Mariners Select INF Tim Lopes from AAA Tacoma|website=marinersblog.mlblogs.com|publisher=Seattle Mariners|author=MarinersPR|date=July 23, 2019|accessdate=July 23, 2019}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On July 27, 2019, Markel was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/07/27/Pirates-claim-right-handed-pitcher-Parker-Markel-off-waivers-from-the-Seattle-Mariner/stories/201907270053|title=Pirates claimed right handed pitcher Parker Markel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|author=Nubyjas Wilborn|date=July 27, 2019|accessdate=July 27, 2019}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On October 31, 2019, Markel was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/angels-acquire-parker-markel.html|title=Angels Acquire Parker Markel}} He was designated for assignment on February 10, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/02/angels-claim-jose-quijada-designate-parker-markel.html|title=Angels Claim Jose Quijada, Designate Parker Markel}} Markel did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=2023-01-14|website=mlb.com|language=en}} He became a free agent on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-2020-2021-milb-free-agents/|access-date=September 21, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=San Diego Padres=

On November 17, 2020, Markel signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization. Markel spent the year with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, posting a 4.42 ERA with 91 strikeouts across 41 appearances. On September 22, 2021, Markel was released by San Diego.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fantasyalarm.com/player-news/2441184/padres-release-parker-markel|title = NBA News | Fantasy Alarm}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On March 5, 2022, Markel signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics.{{cite web | url=https://www.athleticsnation.com/2022/3/5/22962616/oakland-as-sign-free-agent-parker-markel | title=A's sign pitcher Parker Markel to minor league contract | date=March 5, 2022 }} The Athletics promoted Markel to the major leagues on May 29.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-a-s-recall-tapia-and-select-selman-and-rhp-markel-from-las-vegas | title=A's recall RHP Tapia and select LHP Selman and RHP Markel from Las Vegas; LHPS Kolarek and Logue and RHP Lemoine optioned to Las Vegas | website=MLB.com }} He made 3 appearances out of the bullpen, giving up just 1 hit over 3 scoreless innings of work. Markel was designated for assignment on June 7, 2022, in order to make room for Matt Davidson on the team's 40-man roster.{{cite web |last=RotoWire Staff |date=June 7, 2022 |title=Athletics' Parker Markel: Gets DFA'd |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-parker-markel-gets-dfad/|access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On June 8, 2022, Markel was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox and optioned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.{{Cite tweet |user=whitesox |number=1534618401527693313|title=The #WhiteSox have claimed right-handed pitcher Parker Markel off waivers from Oakland and have optioned him to Class AAA Charlotte.|date=June 8, 2022|access-date=June 8, 2022}} He was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Charlotte Knights on July 29. In 24 games for Charlotte, Markel struggled to a 10.29 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 21.0 innings pitched. He was released by Chicago on August 31.

=Hagerstown Flying Boxcars=

On February 22, 2024, it was announced that Markel would be signing with the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars for their inaugural season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Hagerstown adds three to 2024 roster|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/news/?article_id=2465|access-date=March 3, 2024|website=atlanticleague.com|language=en}} In 18 games (17 starts) for the team, he struggled to a 2–6 record and 6.28 ERA with 61 strikeouts over 76 innings of work. Markel became a free agent following the season.

Personal life

Markel requested his release from the Lotte Giants in 2017 due to anxiety issues.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/978177/2019/05/15/after-detours-to-south-korea-and-lululemon-parker-markel-chases-his-dreams-all-the-way-to-the-majors/|title=After detours to South Korea, Lululemon and indy ball, Parker Markel chases his dreams all the way to the majors|publisher=The Athletic|author=Corey Brock|date=May 15, 2019|accessdate=May 15, 2019}} He was out of professional baseball for the rest of 2017, and worked for a time at a Lululemon store and for a hot air balloon company. Markel suffered a concussion and a ruptured right eardrum after being struck by a batted ball during live batting practice, in spring training with the Sioux City Explorers in 2018.