Christopher Kenneth Volstad (born September 23, 1986 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) is a right-handed pitcher for the Florida Marlins. He is 6 foot 8 inches and 225 pounds, and is a 2005 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School. Scouts have compared him to Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay.
Drafted with the 16th pick in the 2005 MLB Draft, the first of three first round picks for the Marlins that year
High School career[]
Christopher K. Volstad graduated from Palm Beach Gardens (FL) High School in 2005...went 7-2 with one save and 0.41 ERA in 10 games as a senior, striking out 98 batters and walking just eight in 69.0 innings. He led his team deep into regional playoffs, coming up one game short of States.
Minor league career[]
In his first season of pro ball Volstad went 4-3 in 13 starts (with 55 K's in 65 IP) between the GCL Marlins and Jamestown Jammers of the NY-Penn League(Low A) with a 2.22 ERA.
Volstad never returned to Jamestown, instead starting out 2006 with the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League(A ball). He went 11-8 over 26 starts with a 3.08 ERA.
Starting his 2nd full pro season at yet another level, with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League, Volstad struggled somewhat compared to his first season and a half. He went 8-9 in 21 games (20 starts) with a 4.50 ERA.
Major league career[]
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 the Colorado Rockies, earning the win with 2 scoreless innings from the bullpen.
On July 11, 2008 Chris started his first major league game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning the win and baffling the Dodger hitters with a 94 mph heater and sharp 12-6 curveball. Chris pitched 8 2/3 innings, and gave up 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 6. Chris also added his first major league hit in this game; a single off the dodgers starter Eric Stults.
Minor League Statistics[]
| Season | Team | League | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | IP | R | ER | HR | H | BB | K | WHIP | K/9 | BAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | GCL Marlins | GCL | 1 | 1 | 2.33 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 25 | 4 | 26 | 1.07 | 8.67 | .236 |
| 2005 | Jamestown | NPL | 3 | 2 | 2.13 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 43 | 11 | 29 | 1.42 | 6.87 | .274 |
| 2006 | Greensboro | SAL | 11 | 8 | 3.08 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 152 | 73 | 52 | 12 | 161 | 36 | 99 | 1.30 | 5.86 | .261 |
| 2007 | Jupiter | FSL | 7 | 7 | 4.16 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 106 | 61 | 49 | 5 | 128 | 32 | 80 | 1.51 | 6.79 | .287 |
| Total | 22 | 18 | 3.26 | 57 | 56 | 1 | 1 | 323 | 167 | 117 | 18 | 357 | 83 | 234 | 1.36 | 6.52 | .269 | ||