Former Ole Miss Closers Caracci and Broadway Flourishing in July in the Minors
OXFORD, Miss. — Over the years, Ole Miss baseball has enjoyed some dominant arms in the back end of the Rebels’ bullpen. Two of those former closers, Parker Caracci and Taylor Broadway, have flourished in the month of July in the minor leagues.
Both Caracci (New Hampshire Fisher Cats) and Broadway (Birmingham Barons) are playing for the Double-A affiliate in each of their respective organizations. Here’s an update on these two Ole Miss legendary closers.
Parker Caracci
In two seasons at Ole Miss, Caracci appeared in 51 games. He logged 80-and-a-third innings pitched while striking out 111 batters. Over that span he allowed only 34 earned runs and held opponents to a .229 batting average. His 21 career saves rank fifth all-time among Rebel pitchers.
Caracci was drafted in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.
This season for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Caracci has appeared in 30 games, pitching 38-and-a-third innings collecting fives saves in six opportunities. He has struck out 45 batters over his 30 appearances.
More impressively, Caracci has an ERA of 0.00 to this point in July.
In six appearances this month, the right-hander from Jackson, Miss. has not allowed an earned run and has only given up six hits. He has pitched nine-and-a-third innings, striking out 10 batters while earning two saves so far this month.
Last month, Caracci expressed congratulations to his former coach, Mike Bianco, and the Rebs on their national championship.
Before we get going in Portland, Ole Miss Rebel Parker Caracci (@Parkercaracci) has a message for @OleMissBSB and @CoachMikeBianco 💪🏆 #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/BmswP23Ak1
— New Hampshire Fisher Cats (@FisherCats) June 28, 2022
Taylor Broadway
In his three seasons at Ole Miss, Broadway appeared in 52 games. The right-hander from Cypress, Texas tallied 107 strikeouts over 89 innings pitched during his three seasons, which included the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
In 2021 for the Rebels, Broadway set the single-season saves record with 16 saves. In 30 appearances, he pitched 49-and-two-third innings, striking out 66 batters and holding opponents to a .242 batting average.
Broadway was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox.
He is currently playing for the Birmingham Barons, where he has appeared in 29 games. In 39 innings pitched he has struck out 53 batters. He currently owns a record of 3-2 with one save in one save opportunity.
Like Caracci, it has been what Broadway has done during the month of July that been so remarkable. So far this month, in six appearances, he has pitched 10 innings while allowing just two earned runs, striking out 16 batters and only walking one.
And like Caracci, Broadway, too, expressed his congrats to the Rebels for their recent CWS title.
So happy for this man right here and that whole staff! Congratulations @OleMissBSB so proud of these boys for what they accomplished and pushed through! HOTTY TODDY! https://t.co/qT8T4Fr6jR
— Taylor Broadway (@taylor_broadway) June 27, 2022
Brandon Johnson, you’re up next
Now it is time for Caracci and Broadway’s protégé, Brandon Johnson, to light up pro ball. Johnson was just recently drafted in the sixth round by the Kansas City Royals in the 2022 MLB Draft.
(Feature image photo credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss; graphic: Nick Filipich, Rebel Walk)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
