In the entirety of Williamsport’s roster this summer, only Carlos Castillo and first half’s Ryan Kennell have played more games than Parliment this season.

And now, in the dog days of summer, that commitment has begun to bear fruit.

To say that Joey Parliment has been productive is nothing new. A native of Gordonsville, Tennessee, which has a population of less than 1,500 people, Parliment has been able to thrive in tough conditions throughout his collegiate baseball career.

“The thing about him more than anything else is he buys into what you are trying to do,” Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas expressed. “His emotions never change. His attitude never changes. He’s always the same guy every day, he just works hard at the game.”

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Joey Parliment of the Williamsport Crosscutters runs to first after connecting on a single during a recent game at Bowman Field.

In an age where the transfer portal usually beckons, the Tennessee native spent all three playing seasons at Trevecca Nazarene, a private division two school located in Nashville.

Gordonsville’s finest was a standout in Nashville. Over the course of three seasons, Parliment would bat .368 in 149 total appearances, garnering 39 career home runs and 139 runs batted in for the Trojans.

His production would move into the summer leagues, as Parliment managed to put together successful campaigns with Valley League’s Saunton Braves and the Prospect League’s Full Count Rhythm.

But the MLB Draft League always proves to be a different kettle of fish, and it is only in August where Parliment’s full potential is starting to be realized. In the month of July, Parliament was a stopgap infielder that batted .236 20 games played.

In the month of August, Parliment has shaped into a completely different player. In five games played this month, the Tennessean has gone five for 16 at the plate, including a double and a run batted in.

But what has most improved has been his plate vision. After walking just eight times in 20 July contests that saw him strikeout out on 15 occasions, Parliment has managed four walks in five games while striking out just five times in that span.

While five strikeouts in five games is far from extraordinary, it contrasts greatly from his second half high 15 strikeouts in July.

“I’m not going to say what his weak pitch was,” chuckled Thomas. “But he’s learned to lay off it a little bit. He had a pitch that would get him every time, but he’s learned… At times guys will get him like everybody else. A pitcher’s gonna get you every once in a while; but I’m very proud of the way he’s made adjustments at the plate.”

The contact numbers have also improved, with the Tennessean’s batting average jumping nearly 80 points from July to August.

“One of the things that’s made him better is [hitting in] the opposite field. He’s learned to go the opposite way a lot. He’s always been a ‘come up the middle’ guy at the plate, but he’s learned to go the opposite field.”

In a team that has its fair share of stars, the Trevecca Nazarene graduate won’t be the first name that comes up in a power ranking, leaderboard, or batting order. But in Parliment, the Cutters have found stability in the bottom half of an order that ranks among the best in the Draft League.