Edinson Volquez
From BR Bullpen
Edinson Volquez
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
- Born July 3, 1983 in Santo Domingo D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
Edinson Volquez is a member of the Cincinnati Reds. He was signed by Texas Rangers' scout Rodolfo Rosario as a free agent in 2001 and pitched in the minors in 2002-2004 and parts of 2005-2007 and also played in the majors in 2005, 2006 and 2007. He's one of those rare players whose first and last names are both unique amongst major league players.
His minor league record over 5 seasons is 31-23. 2006 was his first year in Triple A ball (with the Oklahoma RedHawks), and he posted an ERA of 3.21 in 21 games with them.
In the majors, he had a record of 3-11 in his first three seasons, after appearing in 20 games. While he has not given up excessive hits in the minors, in the majors in his first 80 innings, he gave up 111 hits, of which 14 were home runs. However, he was only 23 years old in 2007 and was still viewed as a top prospect in spite of his early struggles.
After the 2007 season, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds with Danny Herrera for Josh Hamilton. There were questions about how little the Reds were receiving in return for the extremely-talented (albeit injury-prone) Hamilton, but Volquez quelled those rapidly by getting off to a great start with his new team in 2008, even as Hamilton was tearing up the American League. Volquez was selected as the Reds' representative to the 2008 All-Star Game and even though he was tagged for a home run and two runs in one inning of work in the Midsummer Classic, he put together an effective second half as well to end up with some sparkling statistics: a 17-6 record, a 3.21 ERA, and 206 strikeouts in 196 innings. Not only was he easily the Reds' best pitcher, outclassing nominal aces Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang, he was dominant while pitching for a mediocre team that finished 14 games below .500.
Volquez got the call for the first start for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He had a horrible first inning against the Dutch national team. He began by giving up a bunt hit to Eugène Kingsale. An error by Miguel Olivo on a Sharlon Schoop bunt followed. Volquez retired Randall Simon and Greg Halman, but walked Yurendell de Caster. He then threw a wild pitch. Sharnol Adriana singled and a Hanley Ramirez error made it 3-0. Volquez threw two shutout innings after that but the damage had been done as the Netherlands went on to a 3-2 upset win.
Volquez' 2009 was cut short by an arm injury. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August, then more bad news befell him as he was on the disabled list at the beginning of 2010. On April 21, it was announced that he had failed a PED test in spring training and that he would begin serving a 50-game suspension the next day, although he would be allowed to continue his rehabilitation at the Reds' spring training site in Arizona, but would forfeit his salary during the period. Volquez explained that the test was caused by a fertility drug used for personal reasons - an excuse used by Manny Ramirez when he was suspended a year earlier - but observers were quick to point out that such drugs are often used to artificially enhance testosterone levels when cycling out of a period of steroids usage. He came back to go 4-3, 4.31, in 12 starts and was picked by manager Dusty Baker to start a game in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was roughed up badly, however, leaving after giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in 1 2/3 innings and was charged with the loss.
He was the Reds' Opening Day starter in 2011, but began the year slowly, going 3-2 with a 6.35 ERA over his first 10 starts. On May 22nd, he was removed from a game against the Cleveland Indians after giving up 7 runs in 2 2/3 innings and gave a rant afterwards, accusing his teammates of not giving him enough offensive support. One day later, the Reds decided to send him down to AAA Louisville officially to work on his command, but also to have him reflect on his attitude. He came back to the Reds after making 13 starts at Louisville (4-2, 2.37), and finished the season with a record of 5-7, 5.71 in 20 starts in the majors. On December 17th, he was traded to the San Diego Padres with Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger and Yasmani Grandal in return for pitcher Mat Latos.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (2008)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2008)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (2008)
