Post by Fish Troll on Mar 26, 2007 15:29:22 GMT -5
Volstad looms on Marlins' horizon
Team won't rush top prospect, who could prove worthy fast
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Two years ago, Chris Volstad was a dominant force at Palm Beach Gardens High School.
Growing up in the shadows of the Marlins' Spring Training home in Jupiter, Volstad was making a name for himself in his senior prep season.
Now the 20-year-old is the Marlins' top prospect, an impressive right-hander who projects to open the season at Class A Jupiter, five minutes from his house.
At 6-foot-7, 215 pounds, Volstad is 20 pounds heavier from when he was drafted 16th overall by the Marlins in 2005. Because of his great size, Florida lefty Dontrelle Willis has jokingly called him "the 7-footer" and "Manute Bol."
The good-natured ribbing is a sign of respect that Volstad received during his stint with the Marlins in big-league camp. After getting a glimpse of life in the big leagues, Volstad was reassigned to Minor League camp on March 11, and now he's gearing up for his third year of professional ball.
From all indications, it won't be long before he hits the Major League stage.
"I hope he's gotten the taste of that carrot, and that tasted good to him," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I hope he's thinking, 'I'm not that far way.'"
The Marlins are being especially cautious not to accelerate the development of their hot prospect. A year ago, he went 11-8 with a 3.08 ERA at low Class A Greensboro.
Advancing to the highest level of Class A has put him on the fast track to eventually land in the big leagues. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that he will be called up in 2007, probably in September. If not this season, that certainly 2008 is realistic.
The benchmark level the organization pays attention to is Double-A. The quality of play overall advances so much higher at Double-A, and once players show they can handle themselves there, the leap to the big leagues is only a matter of time.
In his nearly four weeks in big-league camp, Volstad had the opportunity to face elite batters like Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Nomar Garciaparra.
"You can't ask to face a better hitter than that your first time out there," Volstad said of pitching to Pujols. "That's good. I'd rather face someone like that and know where I stand against the best in baseball."
What he takes back with him to Minor League camp is knowing there is little margin for error in the big leagues.
"You've got to be a lot more precise in what you're doing," he said. "You can't lose focus for one second. Everything basically has to be perfect to them. If you make one mistake, they're not going to miss it."
Willis learned that lesson when he was called up in May of 2003. Then, in his first Major League start, the D-Train threw a slider that was down and in, and Preston Wilson, then with the Rockies, belted it into the left-field seats for a home run. Willis noted then that he would get Double-A batters out on the exact pitch Wilson crushed for a homer.
Volstad fully understands good pitches can be hit hard in the Major Leagues.
"Sometimes you can make good pitches and they'll still beat you," Volstad said. "The hitters are that good. You have to make sure you put yourself in the best position to get the guys out."
Getting out on the mound isn't the only benefit Volstad got in his spring stint. He saw how to conduct himself and fit in a Major League clubhouse.
"He showed me he is mature enough to handle it up here," Gonzalez said. "Everybody loved being around him."
Volstad started in the Marlins' exhibition opener Feb. 27 against the University of Miami. He tossed two scoreless innings. He saw action in two Grapefruit League games, and went 1-0 with a 7.94 ERA in 5 2/3 innings.
He even felt the sting of taking a comeback shot off his hip from Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier. Fortunately, he shook that off, and was all right.
"There's nothing better than playing with the best," Volstad said. "It's definitely helped me to see what I need to do to prepare myself and get ready for when the chance does come where I get called up or if I get called up. That helps me to play a good Minor League season. Knowing how to get the best guys out helps you get the other guys out as well."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Team won't rush top prospect, who could prove worthy fast
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Two years ago, Chris Volstad was a dominant force at Palm Beach Gardens High School.
Growing up in the shadows of the Marlins' Spring Training home in Jupiter, Volstad was making a name for himself in his senior prep season.
Now the 20-year-old is the Marlins' top prospect, an impressive right-hander who projects to open the season at Class A Jupiter, five minutes from his house.
At 6-foot-7, 215 pounds, Volstad is 20 pounds heavier from when he was drafted 16th overall by the Marlins in 2005. Because of his great size, Florida lefty Dontrelle Willis has jokingly called him "the 7-footer" and "Manute Bol."
The good-natured ribbing is a sign of respect that Volstad received during his stint with the Marlins in big-league camp. After getting a glimpse of life in the big leagues, Volstad was reassigned to Minor League camp on March 11, and now he's gearing up for his third year of professional ball.
From all indications, it won't be long before he hits the Major League stage.
"I hope he's gotten the taste of that carrot, and that tasted good to him," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I hope he's thinking, 'I'm not that far way.'"
The Marlins are being especially cautious not to accelerate the development of their hot prospect. A year ago, he went 11-8 with a 3.08 ERA at low Class A Greensboro.
Advancing to the highest level of Class A has put him on the fast track to eventually land in the big leagues. It isn't out of the realm of possibility that he will be called up in 2007, probably in September. If not this season, that certainly 2008 is realistic.
The benchmark level the organization pays attention to is Double-A. The quality of play overall advances so much higher at Double-A, and once players show they can handle themselves there, the leap to the big leagues is only a matter of time.
In his nearly four weeks in big-league camp, Volstad had the opportunity to face elite batters like Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Nomar Garciaparra.
"You can't ask to face a better hitter than that your first time out there," Volstad said of pitching to Pujols. "That's good. I'd rather face someone like that and know where I stand against the best in baseball."
What he takes back with him to Minor League camp is knowing there is little margin for error in the big leagues.
"You've got to be a lot more precise in what you're doing," he said. "You can't lose focus for one second. Everything basically has to be perfect to them. If you make one mistake, they're not going to miss it."
Willis learned that lesson when he was called up in May of 2003. Then, in his first Major League start, the D-Train threw a slider that was down and in, and Preston Wilson, then with the Rockies, belted it into the left-field seats for a home run. Willis noted then that he would get Double-A batters out on the exact pitch Wilson crushed for a homer.
Volstad fully understands good pitches can be hit hard in the Major Leagues.
"Sometimes you can make good pitches and they'll still beat you," Volstad said. "The hitters are that good. You have to make sure you put yourself in the best position to get the guys out."
Getting out on the mound isn't the only benefit Volstad got in his spring stint. He saw how to conduct himself and fit in a Major League clubhouse.
"He showed me he is mature enough to handle it up here," Gonzalez said. "Everybody loved being around him."
Volstad started in the Marlins' exhibition opener Feb. 27 against the University of Miami. He tossed two scoreless innings. He saw action in two Grapefruit League games, and went 1-0 with a 7.94 ERA in 5 2/3 innings.
He even felt the sting of taking a comeback shot off his hip from Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier. Fortunately, he shook that off, and was all right.
"There's nothing better than playing with the best," Volstad said. "It's definitely helped me to see what I need to do to prepare myself and get ready for when the chance does come where I get called up or if I get called up. That helps me to play a good Minor League season. Knowing how to get the best guys out helps you get the other guys out as well."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070323&content_id=1857119&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla
