Parrish Picks Michigan for Baseball

Esperanza catcher David Parrish has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Michigan, father Lance Parrish said.

“Michigan was the one that made me feel they needed me the most,” David Parrish said.

“I’m very proud,” said Lance Parrish, who played 19 seasons with seven major league teams, including the Angels. “He’s always had a desire for Michigan, and they pursued him heavily. I feel it’s a great opportunity; he may have a chance to step right in and start.”

Lance Parrish said the scholarship offer “was contingent” on David Parrish accepting during the early signing period, which ends Wednesday.

Parrish is also the quarterback of the Esperanza football team, co-champions of the Sunset League with Los Alamitos. But because he signed a scholarship letter to play baseball, Lance said, he would not be eligible to play football for two years under NCAA rules.

“I’m sure he loves football,” Lance Parrish said. “But they warned him it would be tough to play two sports, and especially quarterback. The time demands are such that you could wind up cheating both sports.”