Editorials

Dodgers 2013 End-Of-Season Evaluations: Edinson Volquez

Edinson Volquez spent most of the season with the San Diego Padres, where he struggled for so much of the season. Volquez was 9-10 with a 6.01 ERA for the Padres and was released after he gave up five runs on five hits in 0.2 innings pitched in his last start for the Friars.

Volquez struggled with his health and command since his breakout season with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008 when he went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA and 201 strikeouts but had his 2009 and 2011 seasons limited to injury.



Despite the struggles and health risks, the Los Angeles Dodgers went ahead and signed him for the playoff run and saw him try to turn his season around.

Regular Season Grade: C+

The Dodgers needed some pitching depth as the season was winding down and took a flier on Volquez.

With the help of pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, Volquez was able to find a glitch in his delivery where he believed he was tipping his pitches, aiding the opponent on his pitch selection and contributing to his struggles.

Sure enough, Volquez found some success with he Dodgers, but it wasn’t great as he finished the season with a 4.18 ERA vs. his 6.01 ERA he had in San Diego before signing with the Dodgers.

In the five games he started, he had an 0-2 record with 26 strikeouts and only eight walks allowed. Not great numbers by any stretch, but he ate up some innings for the Dodgers at the end of September.

Playoff Grade: Incomplete

The late season turnaround wasn’t enough for Volquez as he was left of the postseason roster for the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers opted to use three lefties out of the ‘pen to combat the Braves’ left-handed power hitters.

The Dodgers then added Volquez to the NLCS roster to combat the heavy right-handed lineup of the St. Louis Cardinals. Well, he never saw an inning in any game and didn’t able to contribute in the postseason.

Overall Grade: C+

Volquez was a late for addition for  the Dodgers and did a decent job for them down the stretch.

The Dodgers elected to go with Ricky Nolasco and lefties out of the pen for the postseason and he never got a chance to come in when he was added in the second round.

He seems to have figured out some of his struggles and it will be interesting to see what his market will be this off-season. Volquez is a free agent and would likely have to take a one-year deal to show that he can pitch at the big league level.

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Staff Writer

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