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Tony Parrino’s favorite player was Mickey Mantle.
So when his son, Andy, turned seven, he decided to convert him into a switch-hitter, just like the legendary Yankee.
Andy Parrino’s effectiveness from both sides of the plate is one reason he was named a starter for the Midwest League’s All-Star Game.
The second baseman is one of three Wizards named to the Eastern Division squad. He will be joined by first baseman Felix Carrasco and relief pitcher Derek McDaid for the contest, which is at 7 p.m. today at Dow Diamond in Midland, Mich.
Norwell’s Jarrod Parker, a first-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks and member of the South Bend Silver Hawks, is also on the Eastern Division roster.
“It’s an honor to represent our team because there are a lot of good players on our team,” Parrino said.
“I just want to have fun and have a good time. It’s our three days off, so I’ll take it easy and give it all I got.”
Parrino is batting .275 for Fort Wayne. Among Wizards with at least 75 at bats, only Drew Cumberland’s .276 average ranks higher.
Parrino is tied for third on the team in home runs (4). He’s fourth in stolen bases (tied, 7) and runs scored (32). Parrino has six doubles and 20 RBI and is tied for the team lead with 34 walks.
He has a simple explanation for the numbers.
“I’m getting a good pitch to hit and doing something with it instead of fouling it off,” Parrino said.
One of Parrino’s showcase performances came during a doubleheader June 10 against Dayton. He went 4 for 7 in the two games with a home run and four RBI. He came through when it mattered, driving home the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh of the opener, a 4-3 victory. His home run in the second inning of the second game served to jump-start Fort Wayne in a 4-2 win.
The Padres selected Parrino in the 26th round of the 2007 draft out of Le Moyne College (N.Y.).
“I had a great coach (Steve Owens) in college. He worked a lot with me on defense and offense,” Parrino said.
The Brockport, N.Y., native had a .271 average last year at the Padres’ short-season team in Eugene, Ore. He had three homers and 38 RBI.
He joined a crowded Wizards infield to start this year. Injuries to Lance Zawadzki and Cumberland led to more playing time.
“We had some unfortunate injuries, and I’ve made the best of my opportunity,” Parrino said. “I got on a roll there.”
Parrino credits his preparation.
“I double everything (hitting left-handed and right-handed) instead of splitting it in halves,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for 15 years now. I feel pretty comfortable from both sides of the plate.”
Parrino said his biggest thrill has been helping the Wizards (37-33) to its first winning record in the first half of the season since 2005.
“You can have a bad day at the plate or on the field, but if you are winning, that’s all that matters,” he said.
lpope@jg.net
