Bio

Noah Parsons had a new arm. And all of a sudden, he had a new role.

"I wasn't a starter anymore," Parsons said. "But I do think I've always had that closer mindset, that late relief mentality. I just think I was really prepared for the role I was put in."

Two years after his elbow blew up, he bounced to the bullpen. And that was actually best case scenario.

"I felt like I threw every day, and I have no problem throwing every day," Parsons said. "I love it. I love having that as my job."

Okay … maybe he didn't throw every single day. But he did appear on at least back-to-back nights eight times. By doing so, he ended up throwing more than any other pitcher in the Pecos League.

Parsons piled up 30 appearances with the Garden City Wind in 2021, leading the league. He didn't start a single game, but he did finish 14 of them.

"Coming out of Tommy John, I wanted to get as much out of my arm as I could in one or two innings. Just see how it goes," he said. "Then I just kind of fell in love with that role, going in there in pressure situations and getting the job done. I think that's best for me. I hate being relaxed, to be honest."

He put some pressure on hitters in those pressure situations too. The Cali kid capitalized on a commanding three-pitch mix to throw 52 strikeouts, compared to 19 walks, in 32.2 innings. By doing so, he contributed a 14.3 K/9 rate, by far and away the highest in his career.

"I throw a sinker, a four-seam, and a slider. That's it. It's kinda hard, hard, and hard. I wanna meet my team back in the dugout as quickly as possible, so messing around with hitters is not my style."

Parsons' opponents batted .266 against him. The righty's 4.96 ERA was tops on his team among pitchers who threw more than 30 innings.

By blowing batters away with the Wind, Parsons expected an eventual call from the American Association. In fact, he knew the manager of the Houston Apollos, who hinted at an opportunity if Parsons produced.

"He told me if I did my thing, I was gonna be in Houston at the end of the year," Parsons said. "So I kinda knew that if I did well and produced numbers they were happy with, then I'd probably be moved up. If I could get a full season of pro ball under my belt, we'd get to see how it goes."

So this starter-turned-save-seeker closed his first season of pro ball in Houston, pitching in only two innings. It was more about the experience, really, and chance to challenge himself.

"Going to the American Association from the Pecos is a pretty big step, but I think I handled it pretty well."

Now, another challenge arises. His chance at Owlz spring training is here. After an awesome season, with an intact arm and an in-tune approach, Parsons is excited and chasing that excitement again.

"I can't wait to feel that intensity of a ballgame again and win some games. I'm ready to do this thing."