Jim Parque

Jim Parque was a high school pitcher who initially did not create much interest because he was very small. He eventually grew to about 5-11 (180 cm) and played college ball at UCLA, where he led the team to the college World Series in 1997. In 1996 Parque won a bronze medal with the USA team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He had been drafted out of high school in the 50th round of the MLB draft, but after his college career, the Chicago White Sox took him in the first round of the supplemental draft.

Parque came up to the majors in 1998 with the White Sox, and he would play for them through 2002. His best season was 2000 when he went 13-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 32 starts. He pitched only briefly in 2001 before a shoulder injury that required surgery limited his effectiveness.

Parque was never quite the same after his shoulder injury. He pitched in a few games with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003, but then was basically out of pro baseball, although he tried to come back in 2004 in the minors, without success. He also signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2007, but was released in May of that year.