Marlins prospect Chris Volstad to start vs Rox on Sunday

via futurefish.org

The Marlins announced after tonight’s loss to Colorado that they have called up Chris Volstad and he will start in place of Mark Hendrickson. To make room for the Marlins strongest pitching prospect, Taylor Tankersley was sent to AAA Albuquerque. In 15 starts for the Double A Carolina Mudcats, Volstad went 4-4 with a 3.36era and a .251baa. In his 91 innings of work, he gave up 86 hits, while walking 30 and striking out 56.

Chris was the first Marlin taken in the 2005 draft(16th pick) and he signed a $1.6mil bonus. Arguably the best high school pitcher coming in to the draft, a big reason why he fell to the Marlins midway through the first round was because of a start late in his high school season. With many scouts in attendance, he threw only 48 strikes out of 92 pitches in a losing effort in his final start of his career. Chris came flying out of the gates as an 18 year old, dominating the Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League. Baseball America rated him as the best prospect in both leagues after a strong performance in his pro debut.

As a 19 year old, he went to the South Atlantic League and pitched fairly well for the Grasshoppers. In 152 innings, Chris went 11-8 with a 3.08era and a 1.30 whip. Again, he was named one of the best pitching prospects at that level. His toughest test came in 2007 with Jupiter in the Florida State League. Chris went 8-9 with a 4.50era and a 1.50whip in 126 innings of work. His hits allowed and walk rate were both his career worsts, along with that era. Still showing progress with his pitches, if not in the stat sheets, the Marlins promoted him to Double A Carolina. Faced with a much sterner test, Volstad pitched very well going 4-2 with a 3.16era and a 1.20whip in 42.2 innings pitched.

At 6′7, he has fantastic mechanics, something you don’t see in many tall pitchers coming out of high school. His fastball is inconsistent at times, as he hits 94 and it sometimes dips into the upper 80s. This problem should go away as he continues to mature and add on some more muscle. He throws a spiked curveball thanks to Wayne Rosenthal and his changeup has all the makings of a plus pitch. He sometimes tips off his changeup by slowing down his arm action, another thing he needs to work on. He shows good poise, sound mechanics, an easy and repeatable delivery, and a willingness to take instruction.

For his sake and the Marlins, hopefully his sinkerball sinks on Sunday afternoon.