Riverdale, N.Y. (November 29, 2007)- Jasper Baseball alum Mike Parisi has been named to the 40-man roster by Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, it was announced recently by the parent club. 

“This is a huge relief for me,” stated Parisi in an exclusive GoJaspers.com interview.  “This is a huge step in my career, and is something that has been on my mind since the midpoint of last season.”

This marks the first time a Jasper has made the 40-man roster for a Major League team since Tom Waddell ’81 played for the Cleveland Indians from 1984-86.  Coincidentally, Waddell’s son, Kyle, joins the Jasper 9 this year as a freshman pitcher.

Parisi was informed of his new status by Jeff Luhnow, the Cardinal’s vice president for Amateur Scouting and Player Procurement.  St. Louis added just five players to the 40-man roster, with Parisi being the lone starting pitcher to be added to the list.  The move was made by the Cardinals so that Parisi would not be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft.

To be protected from December’s Rule 5 draft, an eligible player must have been added to the organization’s 40-man roster by the November 20 prior to the fourth Rule 5 draft since he originally signed, or fifth if the player was 18 years old or younger when first signed.  Parisi was a ninth round selection in the 2004 MLB Draft, and is just the second player from that round to be named to a 40-man roster, joining Troy Patton of the Houston Astros.  Of the 30 players selected by the Cardinals that day, the right hander is one of just three to have been placed on the 40-man roster.

The other players added to the 40-man roster are second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir, and relievers Jason Motte, Mark Worrell and Kyle McClellan, all players with whom Parisi has risen through the Cardinal’s minor league system, including winning a Florida State League Championship as members of the Advanced A Palm Beach Cardinals in 2005.

Being named to the 40-man roster guarantees Parisi an invitation to the Cardinal’s Major League training camp. Last season, he was a non-roster invitee to the big league camp, making one appearance out of the bullpen against the New York Mets. 

While the Lake Grove, N.Y. native is assured of attending training camp with the major league team, he is not assured of a spot on the major league roster. 

“My goal for spring training is to compete for a spot in the starting rotation,” noted Parisi.  “If that doesn’t happen when camp breaks, I will go back to Memphis and put in the extra effort to get to the big club.”

The Scout.com St. Louis Cardinals 2007 Starting Pitcher of the Year for the Memphis Redbirds is considered a dark horse candidate for a spot at the back-end of the Cardinals 2008 rotation.

“When you are in the minor leagues, the majors seem so far away,” Parisi continued.  “Now is seems so close and makes me work that much harder.

Being so close to his dream of pitching in the major leagues has not distanced Parisi from his roots.  He is currently working towards completing his degree (he was drafted at the conclusion of his junior year) and is working out this off season with other Jasper baseball alums playing professionally, including Chris Cody (Brewers), Nick Derba (Cardinals), Matt Rizzotti (Phillies), John Fitzpatrick (Pirates), Jesse Darcy (Rays), and Josh Santerre (Royals).  “Manhattan College is where is all started for me, and I will always be appreciative to the coaching staff for pushing me and helping me develop as a pitcher,” Parisi concluded.