Prospect Parker in running for big league job

SCOTTSDALE -- Much of the prospect focus of Rockies camp has centered on right-handed pitchers Jon Gray (ranked No. 14 by MLB.com) and Eddie Butler (No. 41), but first baseman/outfielder Kyle Parker also is on the edge of making the Majors, where he is expected to make an impact.

Parker, the team's first-round Draft pick in 2010 out of Clemson, went just 1-for-13 in big league camp last year, but he hit 23 home runs and drove in 74 runs at Double-A Tulsa. He has topped 20 homers each of his three Minor League seasons. Now he has a chance to show the big league pitchers what he has learned.

"Everyone is here to compete and try to play as best as they can," Parker said. "Any time you go up there, you want to succeed. I'll play as hard as I can and hopefully good things happen."

Parker has played the outfield corners, primarily left last year, but he did well enough in 18 games at first base to be considered a two-position player. The Rockies want to maximize his chances to swing the bat.

"It's a right-handed power bat -- not a lot of those running around, I mean legit power," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "So he's going to get the opportunity to play the outfield and play some first. Kyle has done a nice job. He's in a good place."