Favorite Young Player Stragglers: Parra and Weeks

A Pair of Stragglers: Jemile Weeks and Gerardo Parra

Finishing up the "25 and Younger" piece from yesterday, I need to mention Jemile Weeks and Gerardo Parra. I left Weeks off the initial list because I misread his birthday and thought he was 26 rather than 25, while Parra was just an oversight.

I'll have a look at the pitchers later today, but here are my brief takes on Parra and Weeks.

Gerardo Parra, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Age 25. He showed some subtly improved skills last year, particularly with baserunning (15 steals in 16 attempts). He's a sharp fielder. Main question is how much power he'll develop as he matures, but I could see him really taking off into excellence in the age 27/28 window, and I don't think he'll have to be confined to a platoon/fourth outfield role.

Jemile Weeks, 2B, Oakland Athletics: Age 25. What he did last year in the majors is what he should be expected to do, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him show more home run power eventually. My main worry remains durability. Middle infield wears people down, his brother has been fragile, and Jemile's own health record is hardly encouraging.