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Edinson Vólquez

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Edinson Vólquez (Spanish: [ˈeðinsom ˈbolkes];[a] born July 3, 1983) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins.

Edinson Vólquez
Vólquez with the Kansas City Royals in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1983-07-03) July 3, 1983 (age 41)
Barahona, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 30, 2005, for the Texas Rangers
Last MLB appearance
August 11, 2020, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record95–89
Earned run average4.45
Strikeouts1,323
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Dominican Republic
World Baseball Classic
Gold medal – first place 2013 San Francisco Team

Vólquez signed with the Rangers in 2001 under the name of Julio Reyes. He went by Edison Vólquez after 2003, before adding an n to his first name in 2007.

Early life

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Vólquez grew up in the Dominican Republic and started playing baseball when he was 9 or 10 with the support of his parents. "It was good for me because my mom and dad always took care of me... The only thing I did was go to school and play baseball."[1]

Professional career

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Texas Rangers

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Vólquez was signed as an amateur free agent by the Texas Rangers in the Dominican Republic in 2001. Together with John Danks and Thomas Diamond, Vólquez was one third of the "DVD" trio of Rangers pitching prospects.[2][3]

After spending four years in the Rangers' minor league system, Vólquez made his Major League debut on August 30, 2005, in a start against the Chicago White Sox. He lost all three Major League games he started that season, as well as one of the three games in which he appeared as a reliever, and posted a 14.21 ERA. He spent the first five months of the 2006 season with the Oklahoma RedHawks of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League 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.

The Rangers were dissatisfied with the results shown by one of their top pitching prospects, so in 2007 they tried an unconventional tactic. Vólquez was demoted to the Bakersfield Blaze of the Class A-Advanced California League, to work on his control. As Vólquez 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. Vólquez showed much improvement in his big league performance that season, posting a 2–1 record and 4.50 ERA in six starts. Vólquez later said about the time in the minors, "At the time, I didn't understand, because if I play in the Big Leagues, why do I have to go all the way back to Single-A?... It made me better. It made me a better person."[1]

Cincinnati Reds

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On December 21, 2007, the Rangers traded Vólquez to the Cincinnati Reds, along with Daniel Ray Herrera, in a deal for Josh Hamilton. Vólquez made his Reds' debut on April 6, 2008, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Cincinnati. In 5+1⁄3 innings of work, he allowed only five hits, one earned run and two walks while striking out eight batters in an 8–2 victory.

Vólquez 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, Vólquez participated in a 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. Vólquez 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.

 
Vólquez with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008 spring training

Vólquez was selected to represent the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game.[4] By the All-Star Break, Vólquez had a 12–3 record with a 2.29 ERA and 126 strikeouts. Vólquez finished the season with a 17–6 record and an earned run average of 3.21 in 196 innings, 8th-best in the National League.[5] His 206 strikeouts tied for second-most in the National League with Johan Santana and Dan Haren, behind the Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, and his 9.46 K/9 rate was also second in the league behind Lincecum. Vólquez threw changeups 31.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starter.[6]

After the season, the Baseball Writers' Association of America put Vólquez 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.[7]

Vólquez did not follow up his 2008 All-Star campaign with the same success. In 2009 with Cincinnati, Vólquez posted a 4–2 record with a 4.35 ERA through June 1. He was placed on the 15-day DL with elbow pain on June 2, and then eventually moved to the 60-day DL in preparation for Tommy John surgery, which ended his season.[8]

On April 20, 2010, he received a 50-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs.[9] Vólquez made his 2010 debut with the Reds on July 17, 2010, vs the Colorado Rockies with an 8–1 win. Vólquez 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 with Roy Halladay throwing a no-hitter.[10]

Vólquez was the Reds' Opening Day starter in 2011 and finished the season 5–7 with a 5.71 ERA in 20 starts for Cincinnati. He also spent time in the minor leagues, going 4–2 with a 2.37 ERA for Triple-A Louisville.[11]

San Diego Padres

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Vólquez pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2012

On December 17, 2011, Vólquez, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, and Brad Boxberger were traded by the Reds to the San Diego Padres for Mat Latos.[12] Vólquez was the Padres' Opening Day starter for the 2012 season, losing 5–3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[13] Vólquez, along with Clayton Richard, was a mainstay of the Padres 2012 rotation, making 32 starts and pitching 182+2⁄3 innings. His highlight game of the season came on July 19 when he pitched a one-hit shutout at home against the Houston Astros.[14] Vólquez finished the season 11–11 with a 4.14 ERA. He collected 174 strikeouts, but issued a league-leading 105 walks.

Vólquez was again the Padres' Opening Day starter in 2013. On June 2, Vólquez hit his first career home run, a 3-run homer off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ramón Ortiz.[15] Despite his home run, the Padres lost the game 7–4. The Padres designated Vólquez for assignment on August 24, a day after he gave up six runs while only recording two outs in a start against the Chicago Cubs.[16] At the time, Vólquez led the NL with 95 earned runs. He was released three days later.[17] In 27 starts for the Padres in 2013, Vólquez went 9–10 with a 6.01 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On August 30, 2013, Vólquez signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a Major League contract.[18][19] Vólquez appeared for the Dodgers that night, pitching one scoreless inning in relief against his former team, the Padres. He joined the Dodgers rotation soon after and made 5 starts in September for them. He was 0–2 with a 4.18 ERA for the Dodgers in 2013.

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On December 13, 2013, Vólquez signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[20] Volquez experienced a career rebirth with the Pirates, going 13–7 with a 3.04 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 32 games (31 starts), pitching 192+2⁄3 innings. On October 1, 2014. Vólquez started the 2014 National League Wild Card Game for the Pirates against the San Francisco Giants. Vólquez would not come through however, giving up 5 ERs, including a grand slam to Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, in 5 innings pitched. The Pirates would go on to lose 8–0, eliminating them from the playoffs in the process. The Wild Card Game would prove to be Volquez's last game as a Pirate, as he became a free agent after the 2014 season.

 
Vólquez pitching in 2015 World Series

Kansas City Royals

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On December 29, 2014, the Kansas City Royals announced that they had signed Vólquez to a 2-year, $20 million contract.[21] During a game against the Chicago White Sox on April 23, 2015, Vólquez was ejected for his role in the brawl.[22] Two days later, he was suspended five games.[23] He had the option to appeal the suspension but dropped it on April 27, 2015, which made the suspension apply effective immediately.[24] After finishing the regular season 13–9 with a 3.55 ERA in a career-high 200+1⁄3 innings, Vólquez started Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, giving up three runs in six innings and receiving a no-decision. The Royals would go on to win, 5–4, in 14 innings. Vólquez pitched the game unaware that his father had died (his wife found out before the game and instructed the coaching staff and the press not to let Vólquez know of that until he was done pitching for the night).[25] Vólquez got the nod to start in Game 5 against Matt Harvey, where he gave up 2 earned runs on only 2 hits in 6 innings with a no-decision. The Royals again forced the game into extra innings before defeating the Mets to win the World Series.

On June 24, 2016, Vólquez experienced one of the worst starts of his career as he allowed 12 runs (11 earned) in the first inning. He only lasted one inning as the Royals lost to the Houston Astros 13–4.[26][27] On November 4, Vólquez declined his option to remain with the Royals and became a free agent.[28]

Miami Marlins

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Vólquez pitching for the Miami Marlins in 2017

On November 28, 2016, Vólquez agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Miami Marlins. The contract became official on December 1.[29] On March 24, 2017, Vólquez was named the Marlins opening day starter for the 2017 season.[30] He was credited with 7 losses and no wins in his first nine starts.[31] He recorded his first win on May 29 in a 4–1 decision against the Philadelphia Phillies.[31] On June 3, Volquez threw a no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami's Marlins Park in a 3–0 decision. Volquez threw 98 pitches, struck out 10 and walked two batters (who were both retired on double plays), facing the minimum 27 batters.[32] It was the sixth no hitter in Marlins history and the first since Henderson Alvarez's in 2013. It was also the first no-hitter ever to have a hit overturned by replay review. Before the game, he dedicated the game to his fallen Royals friend, Yordano Ventura, as well as fallen Marlins ace Jose Fernandez.[33] The game took place on what would have been Ventura's 26th birthday.[34] He was later named the NL Player of the Week for the first time in his career, pitching 15 innings allowing one run (an 0.60 ERA) and four hits with 14 strikeouts in two starts. On August 4, 2017, Volquez underwent Tommy John surgery, putting him down for the remainder of the season. Vólquez was released by the Marlins on December 13, 2017.[35][36]

Texas Rangers (second stint)

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On February 16, 2018, Vólquez signed a two-year minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, with the 2018 season spent recovering from Tommy John surgery.[37]

On November 20, 2018, Vólquez was added to the Texas Rangers 40-man major league roster for the 2019 season.[38] On April 5, 2019, Vólquez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right elbow.[39]

Texas re-signed Vólquez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on December 16, 2019.[40]

In 2020, he made the Rangers Opening Day roster out of the bullpen. In 7 games, he was 2–1 with a 6.35 ERA in 5+2⁄3 innings.

International career

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Vólquez pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. 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.[41]

Vólquez again pitched for the eventual champion Dominican Republic in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, starting the first game in each of the three tournament rounds. He allowed 5 runs in 10+1⁄3 innings and picked up the win in the semifinal game against the Netherlands.[42]

Scouting report

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Vólquez threw 4 pitches: a low to mid-90s fastball, a two-seam fastball that also clocked in the low to mid-90s, a mid-80s changeup and a high-70s curveball. Throughout his career, Vólquez struggled with command of his pitches.

Personal life

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Vólquez makes a home in the Dominican Republic, where he spends four months during the off-season.[1] Vólquez's father died on October 27, 2015, the same day he started Game 1 of the World Series. His wife requested that he not be informed mid-game of his father's death, so he had no knowledge of his death during his start.[43] After pitching six innings, Vólquez exited the game and learned about the death in the clubhouse surrounded by his family.[44]

Vólquez's brother, Brandy, was stabbed to death in the Dominican Republic on January 17, 2017.[45]

Name issues

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When he was signed by the Rangers in 2001 at age 17, he went by the name Julio Reyes, but his name was revealed to be Edison Vólquez after an immigration crackdown in 2003.[46] In 2007, he asked the Rangers to add an "n" to his name after checking his birth certificate to find he was born Edinson.[46]

Notes

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  1. ^ In isolation, Edinson is pronounced [ˈeðinson].

References

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  1. ^ a b c Heilbrunn, Sharon Annie (July 28, 2012). "10 questions with Edinson Volquez". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  2. ^ "Top Ten Prospects: Texas Rangers". Baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  3. ^ Callis, Jim (July 5, 2005). "Diamond the star of Rangers' DVD". ESPN.com.
  4. ^ "Volquez's first All-Star Game memorable". Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. ^ "Edinson Volquez statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  6. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2008 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. January 3, 1990. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  7. ^ Singer, Tom (November 10, 2008). "Longoria, Soto are Rookies of the Year". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  8. ^ "Volquez faces 12 months of rehab". ESPN.com. August 3, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  9. ^ Heyman, Jon (April 20, 2010). "Cincinnati Reds' Edinson Volquez fails test, gets suspended". CNN. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  10. ^ "Edinson Volquez Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio | pirates.com: Team". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  11. ^ Center, Bill (December 17, 2011). "Latos traded to Reds for Volquez, 3 top prospects". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Reds acquire Latos in five-player deal". Fox Sports. December 17, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  13. ^ "Matt Kemp homers as Dodgers top Padres in opener". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 5, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012. Volquez (0-1), Cincinnati's opening-day starter a year ago, struck out five through three scoreless innings and singled off Kershaw in the third for the Padres' first hit.
  14. ^ Center, Bill (July 19, 2012). "Volquez blanks Astros 1-0 on one hit". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  15. ^ Wilson, Bernie (June 3, 2013). "Volquez hits 3-run homer in Padres' loss". AP.org. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  16. ^ Cassavell, AJ (August 24, 2013). "Padres designate struggling righty Volquez". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  17. ^ Brock, Corey (August 27, 2013). "Padres release struggling Volquez". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  18. ^ Hernandez, Dylan (August 28, 2013). "Dodgers reach agreement with pitcher Edinson Volquez". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  19. ^ Shaikin, Bill (August 30, 2013). "Dodgers officially add Edinson Volquez and his 6.01 ERA". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  20. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates' one-year contracts with Clint Barmes, Edinson Volquez official | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  21. ^ Miller, Doug (December 29, 2014). "Royals finalize 2-year deal with Volquez". mlb.com.
  22. ^ Burke, Timothy. "Five ejected for brawl at Chicago". screengrabber.deadspin.com. Screengrabber. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  23. ^ "6 players suspended following brawl. Vólquez suspended 5 games". MLB.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  24. ^ Nowak, Joey. "Volquez drops appeal, serves 5 game suspension". MLB.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  25. ^ "Royals' Volquez pitches Game 1 after father dies". ESPN.com. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  26. ^ Bahr, Chris. "Edinson Volquez might have just made the worst start in MLB history". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  27. ^ "Astros vs. Royals - Box Score - June 24, 2016". MLB. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  28. ^ Adams, Steve (November 4, 2016). "Edinson Volquez, Kendrys Morales Decline Mutual Options; Royals Decline Option On Kris Medlen". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  29. ^ Frisaro, Joe (December 1, 2016). "Volquez introduced: 'Marlins were my first choice'". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  30. ^ "Marlins' Edinson Volquez: Named Opening Day starter". CBS.
  31. ^ a b "Volquez earns 1st win as Marlins beat Phillies 4-1". CBS Sports. Associated Press. May 29, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  32. ^ "Edinson Volquez throws sixth no-hitter in Marlins history". ESPN. Associated Press. June 4, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  33. ^ The Ringer (June 3, 2017). "Edinson Volquez's No-Hitter Was a Surprising—and Moving—Baseball Gem". The Ringer. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  34. ^ "Edinson Volquez dedicates no-hitter to Yordano Ventura, Jose Fernandez". ESPN. June 4, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  35. ^ Todd, Jeff (December 13, 2017). "Marlins Release Edinson Volquez". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  36. ^ "Miami Marlins release Edinson Volquez". MLB. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  37. ^ Adams, Steve (February 16, 2018). "Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez To Two-Year Minor League Contract". mlbtraderumors.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  38. ^ "Beltre won't be on 2019 roster, but here are some who will after Rangers make moves". star-telegram.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  39. ^ Morris, Adam (April 5, 2019). "Edinson Volquez to the injured list, Kyle Bird recalled". Lone Star Ball. SB Nation. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  40. ^ "Rangers sign RHP Edinson Vólquez, C Tim Federowicz and RHP Ian Gibaut to Minor League contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training". MLB.com. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  41. ^ "Netherlands plays spoiler, puts short-handed Dominicans one loss from ouster". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  42. ^ Center, Bill (March 22, 2013). "Volquez likens WBC victory to winning World Series". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  43. ^ "Edinson Volquez father dies before WS Game 1". Major League Baseball. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  44. ^ Nightengale, Bob (October 28, 2015). "Volquez learns of father's death after start". USA Today. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  45. ^ Ortiz, Jorge L. (January 17, 2017). "Edinson Volquez's brother stabbed to death in Dominican Republic". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 5, 2021.
  46. ^ a b Nelson, Amy K., ed. (May 13, 2008). "Volquez earning Little Pedro nickname on the mound". ESPN. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
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Achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
June 3, 2017 		Succeeded by
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