Volquez tidbit from BP

[OnBaseMachine]

Prospectus: It's difficult to overstate just how well Volquez has pitched thus far. He has yet to allow more than two runs or pitch less than five innings in a start, closing in on the modern record for such a streak of 14 straight, held by Mike Scott and Greg Maddux. He also has a remarkable 1.46 ERA, especially impressive given the bandbox the Reds call home; Volquez's park-adjusted ERA+ is 305, meaning his ERA has been 205 percent better than league average. That is the best mark in history for all starting pitchers who have thrown at least 60 innings in a season. Of starters who qualified for the ERA title, the highest ERA+ was posted by Pedro Martinez (191 percent better than league average), whose 1.74 ERA was produced at the height of the "steroids era" offensive explosion, in the DH league, and in a premier hitter's ballpark. Like Martinez, Volquez is a relatively slight Dominican right-hander, measuring 6'1" and 190 pounds, compared with 5'11" and 170 for Martinez.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...articleid=7616

[Cyclone792]

What's been lost in his incredible run is he's also gone at least six innings in each of his last eight starts.

[BCubb2003]

I wonder which will happen first: Volquez above 2.00 or Bruce below .400?

[M2]

Do you guys mean to say his season's been better than "whatever" so far?

[Cyclone792]

Do you guys mean to say his season's been better than "whatever" so far?

He's bullpen bound in the future. Put him in long relief, or whatever.

[membengal]

Thanks for the posting, OBM. Fascinating to put his start to the year into some context. And what remarkable context it is.

[bucksfan2]

I would love to see Volquez face Hamilton in the AS game. That said Volquez probably won't get picked because he isn't named Webb, Peavy, Johnson, etc.

[OnBaseMachine]

Edinson is currently at 11 consecutive starts of five innings pitched and two runs or less allowed. Like the article said, the record is 14 by Mike Scott and Greg Maddux. That would be something special if Volquez could tie or even break the record, but it's going to be tough. His next three scheduled starts are at Philadelphia, at Florida, and vs Boston. That's three tough teams but he's already handled the Phillies once this year and the Cubs twice, who own the best offense in the league.

[Johnny Footstool]

What kind of world do we live in in which a 6' 1", 190 pound man is considered "slight"?

[REDREAD]

I would love to see Volquez face Hamilton in the AS game. That said Volquez probably won't get picked because he isn't named Webb, Peavy, Johnson, etc.

Volquez will make it. It's too good of a story. Don't you think the TV guys will want to hype a possible Volquez-Hamilton matchup and have something to talk about.

The Rockies manager picks the pitching staff, right? (Since they won the NL last year).. He's not stupid..

[Reds1]

I knew he was doing well, but that's just crazy! He may have the best change up in the game right now.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez extended his streak tonight to 12 starts:

6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K against the Phillies.

[OnBaseMachine]

Volquez extended his streak tonight to 12 starts:

6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K against the Phillies.

Volquez went back out there for one more inning. His final line was this:

7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K...he lowered his major league leading ERA to 1.32 and is now up to 91 strikeouts in 75 innings, which leads the majors. This was against one of the best lineups in all of baseball.

[buckeyenut]

OK, and you amaze over those numbers and he goes out and spins 7 innings 8ks 2 hits 0 runs. Unbelievable.

[oregonred]

Amazing. Volquez goes into Philly, shuts down the hottest team in the NL in a bandbox and lowers his ERA from 1.46 to 1.32.

Best part was that most of this work was done in a 0-0 game and one that the Reds desperately need to win to avoid staring at a four game sweep.