Maryland Baseball Network is counting down to Opening Day! Today marks 17 days until the start of the 2017 season, so here’s a look at #17, Hunter Parsons.

HUNTER PARSONS | 17

Year: Sophomore

Position: Pitcher

Bats/Throws: R/R

Height/Weight: 6’3” / 200

Hometown: Fruitland, Md.

Previous School: Parkside High School

2016 Spring Stats: 15 G (5 GS), 2-3, 3.50 ERA, 36 IP, 28 K, 13 BB

2016 Summer Stats (Baltimore Redbirds, Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League): 9 G (7 GS), 6-0,38.1 IP, 1.41 ERA, 44 K, 7 BB, 1.12 WHIP

About Hunter: Hunter Parsons was drafted out of high school in the 40th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians, but turned down the professional opportunity to play for the Terps. Last spring, he began the season as a late-inning bullpen option for John Szefc, but earned an opportunity to start in a midweek role midway through the year. He flourished in his first four starts, logging an ERA of 1.90 in 23.2 IP, striking out 19 and walking just three. He was named Big Ten Player of the Week in April following a seven-inning, two-hit gem against James Madison, and later in the month earned his first career weekend start against Purdue. His final start came against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal, when he allowed three runs across 3.2 innings.

Parsons brought the momentum from his freshman campaign at Maryland to the Cal Ripken League, where he enjoyed an exceptional summer with the Baltimore Redbirds. He led the league in strikeouts (44) and wins (6) and finished second in ERA (1.40) en route to being named the Cal Ripken League Pitcher of the Year. This offseason, Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 63 sophomore in the country, joining teammate Nick Dunn (43) on that list. After emerging as the most stable midweek option last season, Parsons figures to be a part of the weekend rotation in his sophomore campaign.