Photo courtesy of Kelsey Grant/Arizona Diamondbacks
Parker Messick
Parker is a 24-year-old who was born and raised in Plant City. During his senior year at Plant City, Messick led the entire state in strikeouts with 125, which helped him secure an 11-1 record and 1.06 ERA. After playing at FSU, he was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians and made his first career MLB start last week on August 20, 2025.
How long have you been
playing baseball?
I have been playing on teams since I was about 3 or 4 years old. However, I started playing backyard baseball as soon as I could pick up a bat.
What was it like playing baseball at Plant City High School?
It was some of the most fun I have ever had playing baseball. Going to practice every day with your best friends and winning a state championship senior year is as good as it gets. I’m still best friends with the majority of that team, and I have them to thank, as well as our coaching staff, for a lot of my success and support.
What was it like hearing that you were drafted by the Cleveland Guardians?
I knew they were great at developing pitchers, so I was immediately excited. When your name gets called on draft night, there’s almost nothing that can replace that feeling. It was a special moment that I was grateful I got to spend with friends and family.
Being drafted in 2022, then getting to continue to develop and get better until you were called up, how much would you say you improved your skill sets?
I have improved in just about every facet of the game. Whether it be learning how to manipulate pitches, adding more velocity, throwing more strikes, or how to navigate different lineups, I think that I have improved in every area. You learn a lot about yourself when baseball becomes a job you want to do for a long time.
How did you find out you were making your first career MLB start for the Guardians?
I was called into my manager’s office with the Columbus Clippers postgame the Sunday before my eventual start. He sat me down along with my pitching coach and other staff and congratulated me. Then I was able to be congratulated by all my teammates shortly after.
What was the feeling like stepping on the mound for the first time in the pros?
The only feeling close to it is when you get the call on draft day. It’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and you’re filled with so much energy and emotion. At the same time, you still have a job to do, so you try and take in each moment and still go out there and throw a good game.
Your first career MLB start included a stat line of 6.2 Innings, 6 Strikeouts, and just 1 Earned Run. I don’t know about you, but that feels like an amazing debut. How are you feeling about it personally?
It was about as good as it could’ve gone for me. I filled up the strike zone, got some quick outs, my defense played great, and I went deep into the game. That’s about all you can dream of making your first start. It was a lot of fun, and I’m thankful for the Cleveland Guardians and everything they did for me and my family to make it such a special day.
What are your favorite songs to get you ready for a game?
I listen to a lot of gospel music to calm myself down and refocus my purpose as a person and a player. When I need to get fired up, I throw on some rock and that gets me going.
If you could a have post-game meal, what would it be?
Give me any kind of steak and some rice and veggies and I’ll call it a great post-game meal.
10. What’s your favorite thing about Plant City?
Plant City is your prototypical small town USA. The people and families I grew up with are just a larger extension of my family. Every new level that I advanced, I always felt like I had the whole town behind me, watching and supporting me every step of the way. I’ve always loved how the town rallies behind the people who live there. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting married, having a baby, sick, or celebrating something like I just did, you will always have people there to help, love, and support you. My best friends and family are all still here, so every time I come home, it’s like a big reunion. That’s what I love about this town, and it’ll be hard for me to ever want to leave this place for too long. Love you PC
