A hard thrower, Parmelee never achieved his potential because of a lack of control. Not always a regular starter, he nevertheless led the NL four times in hit batsmen and once in bases on balls. In 1933, his best season, he was 13-8 for the Giants. On July 2 he beat Dizzy Dean of the Cardinals 1-0, striking out 13 and walking none. Two weeks later he lost a 15-inning, 1-0 game to Red Lucas of the Reds.
