Former Bulldog standout Parker Curry joins the Bulldog staff for the 2022-23 campaign as Director of Baseball Operations.
"This is an Incredible addition to our program and staff to get Parker back on campus here to impact the development of our guys," Head Coach Tony David said. "We want to recruit talented players and make sure they develop and get better regardless of their starting point on arrival. Parker’s knowledge and experience will benefit us in that entire process.”
One of Curry’s primary duties will handling be all things Trackman in the development of the pitching staff. “As we add more and more technology and information it is critical that we are as equipped and knowledgeable as possible to make sure we are using that data in ways to allow our staff to develop our players," David said. "Half our team yearly is made up of pitchers. Parker gives us another staff member and set of eyes primarily focused on our staff and helping give Coach Shrout the tools he needs. He had a brilliant career here as a player. He started for us as a Friday guy, was a great reliever at times, and was an outstanding infielder and hitter. We are a better team and program immediately with his addition."
Parker joins the staff as a former Bulldog from 2012-2016. Despite contributing more on the mound, he was a two-way player as an infielder each year as well and got his at-bats when he wasn’t pitching. He spent time finding success as a starting pitcher, relief pitcher, and closer during his career. Parker was a multi-time winner of the SoCon Pitcher of the Week and a First Team All Southern-Conference starting pitcher his senior season.
After his career at Samford, Parker signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and was in the organization for the duration of his rookie contract until the fall of 2022. He spent his first summer working at their spring training facility going through a derivative of the Driveline program that the Dodgers transformed into their own. From 2017-2019, Parker spent time at all four full-season minor league levels, starting 28 games and appearing in 69 others as a reliever. He also pitched in Major League spring training games in both 2018 and 2019, including an appearance in the exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels.
Parker suffered an elbow injury during his last spring outing in 2021 that ultimately led to Tommy John surgery later that season, forcing him out for the 2022 season as well. He continues his rehab as he joins the staff and looks forward to being able to be very interactive with our players once healthy again.
Parker met his wife, Megan, during their time at Samford where she was a record-breaking player for the softball program, notching the Southern Conference Player of the Year in 2016. They just recently welcomed their first child, Lauren, in July. Parker is a native of the area and he and his family are thrilled to be back in Birmingham.
