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Mailbag: Can Volquez get even better? | reds.com: News

Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers fans' questions

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/03/08 3:45 PM EST

Do you think Edinson Volquez can cut down on some of his control issues, and have a repeat, or even better, year next year?
-- Storm, S.C.

I wouldn't say Volquez has "control issues," but he is a strikeout pitcher that is susceptible to high pitch counts and early exits. And yes, he can definitely be better next year. The right-hander is just 25. He has great stuff and seems to have a very good makeup and the right attitude -- he's never too up or down. Anyone that can throw 96 mph with good offspeed pitches in his arsenal has a chance to be a nasty pitcher in the Majors for a few years. Volquez also avoids the long ball pretty well. If he can learn to economize his pitches, he would work into the eighth and ninth innings more often than the sixth and seventh innings.

Cont..

Edinson Volquez has overpowering stuff, striking out 206 batters over 196 innings in 2008. (AP)