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 the Texas Rangers 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.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (2008)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2008)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (2008)
