The Edison Volquez Project

Mar 3, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Everybody has heard it by now….the Pittsburgh Pirates are undertaking another (Insert Underperforming Starter Name Here) Project.  The 2014 version is The Edison Volquez Project.  It’s not been real pretty thus far.  In two outings Volquez has allowed three runs over three innings while issuing three walks and getting a strikeout.

Mar 3, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) comes and talks with pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The most successful of such Pirates projects was without question Francisco Liriano.  The Pirates are working hard to do the same thing in 2014.  A long, long time ago Volquez was a 17-game winning hard throwing starting pitcher without fear or remorse.  Start after start before his was traded to San Diego, the Red starter shut teams down.

Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage glows when talking about well, almost anything, but especially when working on improving a troubled pitcher.  Searage has placed Volquez and Liriano in most of the groups together as they do drills, etc.  The two know each other from way back in the Little League days when they were on the same team.

The right hander talked about how hard and the long process of trying to fix him on 93.7 The Fan.

It’s a great interview with some solid questions.  Check it out.

Volquez Interview

Feb 13, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) throws during Pittsburgh