AUTHOR: Reds03 TITLE: Edinson Who? DATE: 6:22:00 PM ----- BODY:

"The Reds traded for Josh Hamilton for who??"" Who the heck is Edinson Volquez?" "Fire the GM!!" "There goes our playoff hopes for the next 10 years." These thoughts raced through the heads of Reds' fans all over, after Josh Hamilton was traded to the Rangers for Daniel Ray Herrera and Edinson Volquez. Volquez began his career in the Texas Rangers' organization. In just a few years, Volquez was called up to the Big League level; however, he did not fare well. Edinson lost all 4 games that he pitched. He posted a dreadful 14.21 ERA in this time. After spending 5 months in AAA the next year, he received another shot, but failed again. This time he won 1 of hist starts but was charged with a 7.29 ERA. The Rangers believed it was best to send the young Dominican down to A ball, to work on his control. Volquez responded well, working his way through the system, until he was traded to the Reds for Josh Hamilton. The Reds hoped that he would show the brilliance that he had glimpses of in the Rangers organization. He made the rotation out of Spring Training, thanks to his velocity and knee buckling Change up. The Dominican dandy was 17-6, with a 3.21 ERA, 206 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.33, 96 walks, and he was also an All Star. It looked as if the Reds had found an ACE for the future, but Volquez still lacked the ability to get guys out early in the count and extend late into games. In 2009, Volquez did not follow up his All Star campaign as many hoped he would. He only pitched 49 inngs until he had to have Tommy John Surgery on his elbow, sidelining him for the reminder of the year. Edinson is not set to return until the middle of the Summer. The Reds hope that Volquez can come back healthy and be a dominant force in the Reds rotation and MLB. Reds03

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