Edinson Volquez
Encyclopedia
Edinson Volquez [VOL-kez] (born July 3, 1983, in Barahona, Dominican Republic
), is a starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
for the Cincinnati Reds
. He bats and throws right-handed.
Listed at 6' 0", 200 pounds, Volquez made his major league debut on August 30, , after rising rapidly through Texas' minor league system. Together with John Danks
and Thomas Diamond
, Volquez was one third of the vaunted "DVD" trio of Rangers pitching prospects. In 2007, Volquez was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
.
. He spent the first five months of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma
until he was recalled to the majors in September. This time, he fared better, winning
one of his eight starts and posting a 7.29 ERA. Volquez was the pitcher when Kevin Kouzmanoff
hit a grand slam on the first pitch of his Major League career on September 2, 2006. The Rangers were dissatisfied with the results shown by one of their top pitching prospects, so they tried an unconventional tactic. Volquez was demoted to the Rangers' A-league affiliate, the Bakersfield Blaze
, to work on his control. As Volquez progressed, he was slowly promoted up through the minor league system until he reached the big leagues in September. This tactic had been used by Mark Connor
, the Rangers' pitching coach, once before. In 2007 Volquez showed much improvement in his big league performance.
in Cincinnati. In 5⅓ innings of work, he allowed only five hits
, one earned run
and two walks
while striking out
eight batters. The Reds' offense provided Volquez with plenty of run support as Cincinnati won the game by the score of 8–2.
Volquez started 2008 with a 7–1 record and a 1.33 ERA in nine starts, and allowed no more than one earned run in all but one of these starts (in which he allowed two). He became the only Reds pitcher to accomplish this since 1912.
On May 18, 2008, Volquez participated in a premiere pitching matchup with the Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee
, who at that point led the American League
with an ERA of 0.67. It was the third time in MLB history that the ERA leaders of each league had faced each other. Volquez won the contest by a score of 6–4, improving to 7–1. Lee's loss, his first of the season, left him with a 6–1 record.
On May 23, 2008, Volquez struck out 12 batters in six innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run. This game brought his strikeout total to 74 surpassing strikeout leader Tim Lincecum
who had 69. On June 4, Volquez threw seven innings of shutout baseball, claiming a 2–0 win over the Phillies and improving to 8–2 on the season.
Volquez was selected to represent the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. This was his first All-Star selection. In the game Volquez pitched the seventh inning and gave up a two-run home run to J. D. Drew
. By the All-Star Break, Volquez had an 12–3 record with a 2.29 ERA and 126 strikeouts. Volquez finished the month of July with a no-decision loss against the New York Mets
, a 7–2 loss to the Colorado Rockies
, and a 9–5 victory over the Houston Astros
.
To open August, Volquez' record slipped to 13–5 with a 8–1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
, in which he gave up five earned runs. However, Volquez rebounded with a 5–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates
for his 14th win, then a seven-inning shutout victory over the St. Louis Cardinals
for his 15th win of the season.
Volquez finished the season with a 17–6 record and an earned run average
of 3.21, 8th-best in the National League. Volquez threw changeup
s 31.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starter.
After the season, the Baseball Writers Association of America
put Volquez on the ballot for National League Rookie of the Year Award voting, an award for which he was not eligible. He subsequently received three second place votes for the award, which went to Geovany Soto
.
.
. Volquez made his 2010 debut with the Reds on July 17, 2010 vs the Colorado Rockies
with an 8-1 win. Volquez held the Rockies to one earned run and three hits in six innings with 9 strikeouts and 2 base on balls. However, his next several starts were unimpressive, and for the second time in his career, he was demoted straight to single-A (the Dayton Dragons
). He was recalled on September 7 and finished the season with a 4-3 record and 4.31 ERA over 62.2 innings. He started Game 1 of the 2010 National League Division Series
against the Philadelphia Phillies
and lost, allowing four earned over 1.2 innings.
. He took the loss in the opening game for the Dominican Republic
against the Netherlands
, giving up three runs (unearned), two hits, two walks and three strikeouts in three innings pitched.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
), is a starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He bats and throws right-handed.
Listed at 6' 0", 200 pounds, Volquez made his major league debut on August 30, , after rising rapidly through Texas' minor league system. Together with John Danks
John Danks
John William Danks is a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball currently playing with the Chicago White Sox....
and Thomas Diamond
Thomas Diamond
Thomas Nicklaus Diamond is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-College & draft:...
, Volquez was one third of the vaunted "DVD" trio of Rangers pitching prospects. In 2007, Volquez was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Texas Rangers
Volquez's first stint in the major leagues was disastrous. After spending four years in the Rangers' minor league system, Volquez was promoted to the major league club on August 30, 2005, where he lost all three games he started, as well as one of the three games in which he appeared as a reliever, and posted a 14.21 ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He spent the first five months of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
until he was recalled to the majors in September. This time, he fared better, winning
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
one of his eight starts and posting a 7.29 ERA. Volquez was the pitcher when Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kevin Kouzmanoff is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent.Kouzmanoff had trouble with various sports in high school. He got special help for batting practice, just to learn how to swing a bat for three years, implementing a swing...
hit a grand slam on the first pitch of his Major League career on September 2, 2006. The Rangers were dissatisfied with the results shown by one of their top pitching prospects, so they tried an unconventional tactic. Volquez was demoted to the Rangers' A-league affiliate, the Bakersfield Blaze
Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze are a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bakersfield Blaze play their home games at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark...
, to work on his control. As Volquez progressed, he was slowly promoted up through the minor league system until he reached the big leagues in September. This tactic had been used by Mark Connor
Mark Connor
Mark Peter Connor is a former pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers. Before his coaching career, he was a minor league pitcher from 1971 through 1972 who batted and threw right-handed....
, the Rangers' pitching coach, once before. In 2007 Volquez showed much improvement in his big league performance.
2008 season
On December 21, 2007, the Texas Rangers traded Volquez to the Cincinnati Reds, along with Daniel Ray Herrera, in a deal for Josh Hamilton. Volquez made his Reds' debut on April 6, 2008 in a game against the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in Cincinnati. In 5⅓ innings of work, he allowed only five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, one earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
and two walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
while striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
eight batters. The Reds' offense provided Volquez with plenty of run support as Cincinnati won the game by the score of 8–2.
Volquez started 2008 with a 7–1 record and a 1.33 ERA in nine starts, and allowed no more than one earned run in all but one of these starts (in which he allowed two). He became the only Reds pitcher to accomplish this since 1912.
On May 18, 2008, Volquez participated in a premiere pitching matchup with the Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
, who at that point led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with an ERA of 0.67. It was the third time in MLB history that the ERA leaders of each league had faced each other. Volquez won the contest by a score of 6–4, improving to 7–1. Lee's loss, his first of the season, left him with a 6–1 record.
On May 23, 2008, Volquez struck out 12 batters in six innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run. This game brought his strikeout total to 74 surpassing strikeout leader Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
who had 69. On June 4, Volquez threw seven innings of shutout baseball, claiming a 2–0 win over the Phillies and improving to 8–2 on the season.
Volquez was selected to represent the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. This was his first All-Star selection. In the game Volquez pitched the seventh inning and gave up a two-run home run to J. D. Drew
J. D. Drew
David Jonathan "J. D." Drew is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He is a left-handed hitter, and began his major league career in with the St. Louis Cardinals...
. By the All-Star Break, Volquez had an 12–3 record with a 2.29 ERA and 126 strikeouts. Volquez finished the month of July with a no-decision loss against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, a 7–2 loss to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, and a 9–5 victory over the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
To open August, Volquez' record slipped to 13–5 with a 8–1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, in which he gave up five earned runs. However, Volquez rebounded with a 5–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for his 14th win, then a seven-inning shutout victory over the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for his 15th win of the season.
Volquez finished the season with a 17–6 record and an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.21, 8th-best in the National League. Volquez threw changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
s 31.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starter.
After the season, the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
put Volquez on the ballot for National League Rookie of the Year Award voting, an award for which he was not eligible. He subsequently received three second place votes for the award, which went to Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Professional career:...
.
2009 season
Volquez did not follow up his 2008 All-Star campaign with the same success. In 2009 while with Cincinnati, Volquez posted a 4–2 record, with a 4.35 ERA. Volquez did not pitch after June 1 when he was put on the 60-day DL, effectively ending his season in preparation for Tommy John surgeryTommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
.
2010 season
On April 20, 2010, Volquez received a 50 game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugsPerformance-enhancing drugs
Performance-enhancing drugs are substances used by athletes to improve their performances in the sports in which they engage.- Types of performance-enhancing drugs :...
. Volquez made his 2010 debut with the Reds on July 17, 2010 vs the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
with an 8-1 win. Volquez held the Rockies to one earned run and three hits in six innings with 9 strikeouts and 2 base on balls. However, his next several starts were unimpressive, and for the second time in his career, he was demoted straight to single-A (the Dayton Dragons
Dayton Dragons
The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball team from Dayton, Ohio affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Midwest League at Fifth Third Field.The Dragons came to Dayton in 2000...
). He was recalled on September 7 and finished the season with a 4-3 record and 4.31 ERA over 62.2 innings. He started Game 1 of the 2010 National League Division Series
2010 National League Division Series
The 2010 National League Division Series were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team—a "Wild Card"—played in two series from October 6 to 11...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and lost, allowing four earned over 1.2 innings.
International career
Volquez pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. He took the loss in the opening game for the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic national baseball team
The Dominican Republic national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Dominican Republic.-World Baseball Classic Roster:- Dominican Republic:Manager: 17 Felipe Alou...
against the Netherlands
Netherlands national baseball team
The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....
, giving up three runs (unearned), two hits, two walks and three strikeouts in three innings pitched.