Quebec Capitales star receiver Jeffry Parra has impressed enough in the Frontier League to land a major league baseball contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The formation of the Old Capital made the announcement in a press release on Saturday. The 25-year-old Dominican will evolve for the Rays subsidiaries. It’s a return to that level for Parra, who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2016.
“We are really happy for him. With the two seasons he has just had with us, and especially the last one, he more than deserved his place. And I can’t wait to see what he can do if given the opportunity in the minor leagues,” said head coach Patrick Scalabrini, who welcomed Parra with open arms in 2021.
The right-handed hitter was a member of Team Quebec before donning the Capitals uniform for the first time last year. He quickly made new friends on the team by breaking the franchise home run record by stretching his arms 32 times. He drove in 83 runs in 86 games, posting a .321 batting average.
Behind the plate, Parra thrilled runners all season by striking out 32 attempted steals, a league high.
Lebreux and Lacroix convince the “Caps”
In addition, the Capitals announced Friday that Quebec outfielders Marc-Antoine Lebreux and Jonathan Lacroix would be returning to Stade Canac in 2023.
In 82 games the season behind, Lebreux posted a .261 batting average. He also stood out in stolen bases, with 17, and in points scored, with 44.
“Already very good defensively, Marc-Antoine has improved steadily during the 2022 season, at all levels, praised Scalabrini. And I know he continues to train very hard this winter to keep his place in professional baseball.
As for him, Lacroix maintained a .285 average, in addition to having produced 51 points and six long drives in 94 games. However, it was mainly due to his defensive prowess that he fell into the good graces of his manager.
“For me, Jo was the defensive player of the year, with electric plays in the center field and a warrior attitude, always on the job in all circumstances, estimated the pilot. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s a quiet leader, much appreciated by all his teammates.
