June 21, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Parker looks to succeed at Purdue

Dalton Parker has seen his share of ups and downs during his baseball career.

Parker, a 2016 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School, was revered as one of the best arms to play for the Spartans.

After graduation, he took his game to the next level at Purdue University in nearby West Lafayette, Indiana.

However, the past year wasn’t one that Parker would like to relive, as he was dealing with some injuries and the Boilermakers endured a subpar season, missing the Big Ten tournament as a result.

“I didn’t have the best of years in 2019 due to my injuries, but I’m getting back to 100% and want to be a senior leader on the team when I return to campus in the fall,” Parker said.

Parker will be spending the summer out east working out at Cressey Sports Performance in Hudson, Massachusetts, the same place that he spent last summer as well.

Last summer was a tough transition being away from home, but now that this is his second time away, it’s a little different this time around.

“Came to Boston for the first-time last summer, and that was an experience for me. But this year, it’s a different mindset and I know more of what to expect. I’ve worked hard for what I’ve accomplished and want to make my senior season at Purdue one to remember,” Parker said.

Parker had interest out of high school by major league teams, as scouts were a regular occurrence at his games. But, he decided to go to college instead.

“The financial terms were not met for my draft status, and besides, I wanted to develop more, and going to Purdue would help me do that,” Parker said. “There were plenty of scouts that attended my games, and after a while, you don’t pay attention to their radar guns and notebooks.”

The plan for Parker is to train at Cressey all summer long, and then towards the end, some other options might become available for him.

“The training during the summer helps with your development and they have a really good plan with their pitcher development plan,” Parker said. “If everything goes well, there is an outside chance of me pitching in the Cape Cod League for a bit.”

The Cape Cod League is a top-tier league for college players to hone their skills away from their respective campuses.

Scouts that attend the games are much higher caliber, and according to Parker, the chances of getting noticed are much better in this league.

“If you’re good enough, someone will discover you in that (Cape Cod) league. Hopefully, I get the chance to play a little bit while I’m out here, but we’ll see how everything goes,” Parker said.

Parker credits the SJO coaching staff and his playing experience for a smooth transition to the collegiate game.

“They (the coaching staff) really made the transition non-existent and you are very prepared for the next level. The coaches give you a competitive edge and a good mindset, which is a necessity at the next level,” Parker said.

Parker admittedly has a lot of work to do to be drafted, but like most players in his situation, that is the goal; to see his name called in the MLB first-year player draft.

Who knows, with a little help from his friends in Boston, Parker just might achieve that dream sooner than later.

Banner
Related Posts

23-24 IPC WRESTLING ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS

February 23, 2024

February 23, 2024

The Illinois Prairie Conference has announced its conference wrestling teams. 1st Team: (U: means Unanimous)  PLAYER NAME GRADE WEIGHT CLASS...

Burnett, Steinbach key as SJO volleyball wraps up season this week

April 22, 2021

April 22, 2021

Normally, 20 matches in a season means a high school volleyball teamis just rounding into form, ready to make a...

SJO baseball reaches Sweet 16, faces Tuscola in sectional title game

May 25, 2019

May 25, 2019

Strong offensive games have happened here and there this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team. The Spartans...

Athlete of the Month-Hannah Dukeman

August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019

Every month a committee of coaches selects a student-athlete of the month from nominees in–season coaches supply. We then ask...

Opportunity for growth is outlook SJO boys’ track and field is taking amid pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and field team had competed in a few indoor meets in February and...

Dowling sets home run record, SJO softball reaches 20-win mark

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

Two notable historic accomplishments have happened recently for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. First, Bailey Dowling is now...

McCarty throws no-hitter, SJO baseball picks up two wins

May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019

Each time Keegan McCarty takes the mound, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team has to likes its chances of...

SJO baseball ups win streak to 13 games and Haley nets 400th career victory

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

The path to 20 wins each season can take high school baseball teams on a different path. Maybe the majority...

Way to go, SJO: Spartans’ girls’ basketball heading to state!

February 19, 2019

February 19, 2019

In a season full of signature wins, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team delivered another one on Monday...

Plotner and Bagby lead Spartans to second place showing

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and field team began the outdoor season with a runner-up showing at a...

Ingram, Behrens lead SJO soccer in spring season

April 21, 2021

April 21, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team experienced a whirlwind of aseason during the 2020-21 school year. A season they’ll likely...

Wendling doesn’t give up, ready for state meet

February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019

When Jake Wendling first suffered a knee injury earlier this season, wrestling at the state meet didn’t seem likely. But...

Hamilton, Taylor spark SJO girls’ track and field at Sages Invitational

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

The regular season is winding down for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and field team. And the Spartans...

SJO girls’ basketball vies for sectional title tonight

February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019

Win on Thursday night and the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team achieves a milestone only one other team...

Get to know SJO volleyball player Josey Frerichs

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? We are all friends on and off the court which really...

Comments
Leave a Reply