June 10, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Sox select Kendal Volz in the Ninth Round
With their ninth-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, the Red Sox have taken Baylor junior pitcher Kendal Volz. Volz is a big, intimidating, sinkerballer who overpowers hitters with two plus out-pitches. His power sinker sits between 93-95 MPH with explosive late sinking life, and he compliments it with a low 80's spike curveball. Entering the 2009 season, the 6'5", 225-pound Volz was thought to be a first-round talent, but after a rough spring (3-7, 4.50 ERA, 91 hits and 78 strikeouts in 86.0 innings), his stock fell. He has been described as having terrific mound presence, and he was dominant as Team USA's closer over the summer. There is a strong chance Volz will want to return to Baylor to improve his draft stock for 2010, but the Red Sox will try to convince him otherwise.