Edinson Volquez

Remember Edinson Volquez? He was rather forgetful when he pitched for the Rangers last year. In fact, he's pitched in two major league seasons. Here's his line with the Rangers:

He's 1-10 with a 9.20 ERA in 11 starts and three additional appearances. YUCK! He had thrown only 46 innings and gave up 47 runs off of 77 hits and 27 walks. He's also handed out 10 HRs. That's almost two HRs in a nine inning stretch. And that's also more than 15 hits in that same nine innings. So why bring him up now? He's going back through the minors, went all the way back to the rookie league, and he's moving up the system with fierce intensity.

Frisco Roughriders

2005: 1-5 in ten starts. He had a 4.14 ERA and his only win was a complete game shutout. In a partial season at AA, he had only pitched 58 2/3 innings.

This year, his stats look like this:

• Frisco: 7-0 in nine starts. 3.77 ERA in 45 1/3 innings. Volquez has given up 7 HRs and whiffed 45 batters, but hitters are only tapping him for a .218 batting average.
• Bakersfield Blaze: He didn't do all that great, going 0-4 with a 7.13 ERA in seven starts. He pitched 35 1/3 innings and gave up 4 HRs and 28 earned runs.

Volquez may not pitch for the Rangers this season, then again, he may throw off the Arlington mound when the roster is expanded in September. What I do know is that they are not going to rush him through this time around. They will bring him up only when he is truly ready.