Persistence pays: MLB dream comes true for Monroe High alum

Ian Parmley is the poster child for persistence.

The Monroe High School graduate was never intended to be more than minor-league filler after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012. He was never handed playing time at any of his minor-league stops over his six seasons, and his climb through the Blue Jays system has been far more tortoise than hare.

But Parmley stuck with it, and now not only will his name be permanently etched in the baseball register, he’s hopeful he can carve out a role in the major leagues.

Parmley made his major-league debut in late June, completing his long and winding road to baseball’s apex, and now that he’s had a taste of the big leagues he’s even more determined to get there on a permanent basis.

“It was amazing,” Parmley said about his first stint in the majors when reached via cell phone from Buffalo, New York. “It was something I dreamed about since I was 5 years old. To finally get there, walking into the clubhouse with all the big names, was unbelievable.”

Parmley received the call from Toronto on June 22. The 27-year-old outfielder was playing for the Buffalo Bisons of the Triple-A International League when the Blue Jays suffered a rash of injuries to their outfield. Therefore, Parmley was summoned to fill in during Toronto’s three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals.

“I was playing in Syracuse, and the second inning I came off the field and (manager Bobby Meacham) said I was coming out of the game,” Parmley recalled. “I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ Then he took me down the tunnel and said I was going up. I almost lost it.”

The next day Parmley hopped on a plane to Kansas City, with his parents quickly arranging to also fly in for the game. That night Parmley found himself in Toronto’s starting lineup, batting ninth and playing right field.

“Goosebumps, butterflies, everything,” was how Parmley described his first moment on a major-league field. “We weren’t able to take BP that day, so my first time on the field was during stretching and warming up. I was looking out and the stands were packed, it was amazing.”

Parmley finished 0-for-3 that night, though he did successfully get a sacrifice bunt down in the top of the seventh inning, He also grounded out twice and struck out.

Parmley, who credited Steve Pearce and Darwin Barney for easing his transition to the majors, also got into the other two games in the series, serving as a pinch runner in the second game and as a defensive substitute in the third. Toronto, in need of another relief pitcher after emptying its bullpen in the series finale, sent Parmley back down after the weekend was over.

It may have been a short stay, but that hasn’t been discouraging to Parmley, who has shown near-infinite patience over the course of his professional career.

Parmley was originally drafted in the seventh round by the Blue Jays in 2012. That was the first year baseball created signing-bonus pools for the first 10 rounds of the draft. Parmley, a senior from tiny Liberty College, was selected in the seventh round because of his willingness to sign for less than slot value, thus freeing up funds to sign earlier selctions for above slot value.

Then Parmley had to slowly work his way up the ladder. He spent two seasons playing for Vancouver of the short-season Single-A Northwest League — most legitimate prospects don’t repeat the Northwest League. Once reaching higher levels, Parmley often found himself a part-time player as the organization saw his main asset, speed, being best utilized for defense and baserunning.

But despite the slow go, Parmley never lost faith.

“There were some dark days, definitely, but I never got to the point where I thought it was time to hang it up,” Parmley said. “I knew there was more baseball left in me.”

Parmley had his best offensive season as a pro in 2016 when he batted .294 in 92 games for Double-A New Hampshire. Then after emulating those numbers in Buffalo this season he got the call.

Parmley said his first taste of the majors only made him more determined to get back. He was energized upon his return to Buffalo, so much so that in his first game back he crashed into the outfield wall while chasing down a fly ball, forcing him to miss a few days.

But having been to the majors once, Parmley believes he has what it takes to get back.

“I just felt it shows that if you put in the work, anyone can make it,” Parmley said. “If you play as hard as you can every day, you have a chance. I was a senior who signed out of college at 22, I spent two seasons at short-season, I wasn’t playing much in the middle years. But if you stay with it and work every day, dreams do come true.”

If you have an idea for a community sports story, e-mail Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.