| Chris Volstad | |
|---|---|
 Volstad with the Florida Marlins in 2008 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-09-23)September 23, 1986 (age 39) Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: July 6, 2008, for the Florida Marlins | |
| KBO: April 2, 2014, for the Doosan Bears | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: July 26, 2018, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| KBO: July 10, 2014, for the Doosan Bears | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 37–58 |
| Earned run average | 4.97 |
| Strikeouts | 481 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 5–7 |
| Earned run average | 6.21 |
| Strikeouts | 32 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Christopher Kenneth Volstad (born September 23, 1986) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He is a 2005 graduate ofPalm Beach Gardens High School. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theFlorida Marlins,Chicago Cubs,Colorado Rockies,Pittsburgh Pirates, andChicago White Sox, and in theKBO League for theDoosan Bears.
Volstad was drafted with the 16th pick in the2005 Major League Baseball draft, the first of three first round picks for the Marlins that year.
Volstad played in amateur baseball tournaments from a young age, winning the championship in a 12-and-under travel competition for a team representingBroward andPalm Beach counties, against a team representingCalifornia'sCentral Valley, at theBaseball Hall of Fame inCooperstown, New York.David Adams was a teammate.[1]
Volstad graduated fromPalm Beach Gardens Community High School in 2005, pitching to a 7-2win–loss record with onesave and a 0.41earned run average (ERA) in 10 games for the school's baseball team as a senior,striking out 98 batters andwalking just eight in 69innings pitched. He led his team deep into the regional playoffs, coming up one game short of States.[citation needed]
In his first season of professional baseball, Volstad went 4-3 in 13 starts (with 55strikeout in 65 innings pitched) between the rookie-levelGulf Coast League Marlins andJamestown Jammers of theNew York–Penn League (Low-A) with a 2.22ERA.
Volstad never returned to Jamestown, instead starting out2006 with theGreensboro Grasshoppers of theSouth Atlantic League (Single-A). He went 11-8 over 26 starts with a 3.08 ERA. Volstad was subsequently named the Marlins' #1 prospect inBaseball America's annual rankings.
Volstad started his second full pro season with theJupiter Hammerheads of theFlorida State League (High-A). He struggled somewhat compared to his first season and a half, going 8-9 in 21 games (20 starts) with a 4.50 ERA. However, in later action with Florida's Double-A affiliate, theCarolina Mudcats of theSouthern League, Volstad improved to a 4-2 record and a 3.16 ERA.
In 2008, Volstad continued at Carolina, posting a 4-4 record, 3.36 ERA in 15 starts before being promoted to the major leagues.
On July 6, 2008, the Marlins purchased Volstad's contract and added him to the active roster. He made his major league debut the same day in a game against theColorado Rockies, earning the win with two scoreless innings from the bullpen.[2]
On July 11, Volstad started his first major league game against theLos Angeles Dodgers, earning the win and baffling the Dodger hitters with a 94 mph fastball and sharp 12-6 curveball. Volstad pitched8+2⁄3 innings, and gave up 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 6. Volstad added his first major league hit in this game: a single off the Dodgers starterEric Stults. On August 7, Volstad delivered a masterful performance against the NL East-leadingPhiladelphia Phillies to reduce their lead in the division to1+1⁄2 games. He pitched 6 innings of shutout baseball, outduelingCole Hamels of the Phillies.
On July 8, 2009, Volstad pitched what many could argue as the best game of his career. Against theSan Francisco Giants, he pitched his first career complete game allowing only five hits and no runs; his win helped the Marlins avoid a sweep. In late August, he was sent to theTriple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs[3] after a1+2⁄3 inning start against theSan Diego Padres. Volstad made 29 starts for Miami during the regular season, compiling a 9-13 record and 5.21 ERA with 107 strikeouts over 159 innings of work.[4]
In September 2010, Volstad was involved in a bench clearing brawl against theWashington Nationals. In the day's previous game, the Nationals'Nyjer Morgan intentionally ran into Marlins' catcherBrett Hayes on a play at home plate where Morgan was called out. Hayes separated his shoulder and it was determined later that night that he would miss the remainder of the season. In Morgan's first at-bat, Volstad threw at Morgan, hitting him. Morgan proceeded to steal two bases when the Marlins had an almost double digit lead, breaking anunwritten rule of ethics in the game. Offended by Morgan once again, Volstad threw another pitch at Morgan in his next at-bat, with it going behind Morgan's back. He was promptly ejected for throwing at him, and Morgan then quickly charged the mound, despite the fact that Volstad stood nearly a foot taller than him. Morgan's punch connected, and Morgan was promptly knocked to the ground by Marlins' first basemanGaby Sánchez, resulting in the bench-clearing brawl.[5] After the game, Volstad sported ashiner from the Morgan punch.[6] Volstad was suspended for 6 games because of the incident. He made 30 total starts for the Marlins during the 2010 campaign, registering a 12-9 record and 4.58 ERA with 102 strikeouts across 175 innings pitched.[7]
Volstad made 29 starts for the Marlins in the 2011 season, posting a 5-13 record and 4.89 ERA with 117 strikeouts across165+2⁄3 innings pitched.[8]
On January 5, 2012, the Marlins traded Volstad to theChicago Cubs in exchange forCarlos Zambrano. On May 18, Volstad was optioned to the Triple-AIowa Cubs after an 0-6 slump.[9] On July 3, Volstad was recalled by the Cubs.[10] He made a start later that day, giving up six runs over4+1⁄3 innings, and getting the loss against theAtlanta Braves.
On October 26, 2012, Volstad was claimed off of waivers by theKansas City Royals.[11] On November 20, Volstad wasdesignated for assignment in order to clear room on the 40-man roster.[12] He elected free agency on November 28.
On February 4, 2013, Volstad signed a minor league contract with theColorado Rockies, with a chance to compete for a spot in the Colorado rotation.[13] He had his contract selected to the major league roster on March 29. After allowing 10 runs in six games for the Rockies, Volstad was placed on waivers on June 20; he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-AColorado Springs Sky Sox on June 22.[14] Volstad became a free agent on October 1.[15]
On November 5, 2013, Volstad signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[16] He was released on December 27.
On December 19, 2013, Volstad signed with theDoosan Bears of theKBO League. However, he was ineffective for the Bears, who released him at midseason.[17]
On July 19, 2014, Volstad signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels. He became a free agent following the season on November 2.
On January 30, 2015, thePittsburgh Pirates signed Volstad to a minor league contract.[18] On June 24, the Pirates selected Volstad's contract, adding him to their active roster.[19] That day, he pitched two scoreless relief innings for the team. Volstad was designated for assignment alongsideJosé Tábata on June 28 to make room forGorkys Hernández andSteve Lombardozzi Jr.; he cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-AIndianapolis Indians on July 2.[20] Volstad elected free agency following the season on October 5.
On October 30, 2015, Volstad signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[21] He was released prior to the start of the season on March 12, 2016.[22]
On March 24, 2016, Volstad signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox. In 29 games (27 starts) for the Triple–ACharlotte Knights, he compiled an 8–11 record and 4.79 ERA with 84 strikeouts across176+2⁄3 innings pitched. Volstad elected free agency following the season on November 7.[23]
On December 24, 2016, Volstad re–signed with the White Sox on a new minor league contract.[24] He was first called up by the White Sox on September 8, 2017, and made 6 appearances for the club, including 2 starts. On October 4, Volstad was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte.[25]
On January 22, 2018, Volstad re-signed with Chicago on another minor league deal.[26] His contract was selected by the White Sox on April 12.[27] Volstad spent the majority of the season in the White Sox'sbullpen, compiling the most innings he'd pitched in the majors since 2012. In47+1⁄3 innings, he was 1-5 with a 6.27 ERA. Volstad was designated for assignment on July 27.[28] He was released by the team on July 31.
On February 16, 2020, Volstad signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds. He was released prior to the start of the season.
Volstad was asinkerballer. He threw his sinker about half the time, averaging at 91 MPH. His secondary pitch was a mid-80sslider. He also featured a straightfastball, acurveball, and achangeup. He threw his changeup primarily to left-handed hitters, and his slider primarily to right-handed hitters.[29]
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