Gerardo Parra is a much bigger key to the Rockies than you think

DENVER – Over the past two seasons, Gerardo Parra has one of the worst fWARs (Fangraphs Wins Above Replacement) in baseball. His value according to the stats crowd is negative.

That’s not the Gerardo Parra the Colorado Rockies know, and very much love.

Gerardo Parra came off a month-long stint on the disabled list where he was sidelined by a right quad strain. Parra was placed on the DL on June 7 and the team has gone 13-15 since.

Twice a Gold Glover and twice an above average league hitter, the nine-year big leaguer is an absolute essential piece to the Rockies. Not only is he a vast improvement from what the Rockies have had as a fourth outfielder for the past month, his presence is one of the loudest and most respected in the Coors Field clubhouse.

“He brings a looseness, an energy, a component of looseness and having fun but professionalism at the same time,” manager Bud Black said. “He knows what this is all about but he does it in a way to life everyone else.”

Both in the clubhouse and off the field Parra does multiple things to help the team.

“He’s an option (to play first base) we’ll think about that,” Black said. “The flexibility that he and Ian (Desmond) brings is great. We never feel like we’re at a disadvantage on offensive or defense. That’s the beauty of the Desmond, Parra, (Pat) Valaika and (Alexi) Amarista it gives us a chance to be creative with their versatility.”

Parra was slashing .318/.348/.480 with 28 RBI through his first 49 games this season.

“Let’s hope that he can give us a lift,” Black said. “He was swinging the bat very well before the injury. When he’s right he can do a lot of things, he has some energy and that personality is great.”

Parra was 17-for-his-last-30 at the plate before he came up limping trying to steal a base.

“I can’t control that (when I’m hurt), I can just stay happy,” Parra said. “Working hard and I don’t want to talk about the past just day by day into the future.”

“I feel good, I’m happy to be back and happy to help the team. I’m trying to play hard,” Parra, whose walk-up song is called “Happy”, said.