After posting a 6.69 ERA in 17 major league starts prior to the 2008 season, Cincinnati’s Edinson Volquez leads the major leagues with a 1.31 mark in 10 starts and a relief appearance this spring. He’s 7-2 and has held opponents to a .194 average.

It was nearly impossible to foresee Volquez’s emergence. He was traded to Cincinnati in December for outfielder Josh Hamilton. The move came after the Texas Rangers had sent the promising prospect to Class-A ball last summer to encourage an attitude change and better performance. He’s having one of the biggest turnaround seasons so far in 2008.

Pitchers Having Turnaround Seasons, 2007 vs. 2008, Youngest to Oldest
(major league numbers only)

Pitcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2007. . . . . . . . . . . .2008
John Danks, CWS. . . . . . . . . . . .23. . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13 (5.50). . . . . . . . . 3-4 (3.00)
Scott Olsen, Fla. . . . . . . . . . . . 24. . . . . . . . . . . .10-15 (5.81). . . . . . . . . 4-2 (3.38)
Edwin Jackson, TB. . . . . . . . . . 24. . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15 (5.76). . . . . . . . . 3-3 (3.47)

Edinson Volquez, Cin. . . . . . . . .24. . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1 (4.50). . . . . . . . . . 7-2 (1.31)
Gavin Floyd, CWS. . . . . . . . . . . 25. . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5 (5.27). . . . . . . . . . 4-3 (2.93)
Ervin Santana, LAA. . . . . . . . . . 25. . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14 (5.76). . . . . . . . . .7-2 (3.09)

Command and control have been significant issues in Volquez’s previous big league stints. His walk rate is heading in the right direction, but the 24-year-old right-hander still is putting too many runners on base. Volquez, who has held opponents to a .204 average, has walked 33 and hit four batters in 62 innings. He’s playing with fire issuing so many free passes.

Volquez is one of 70 pitchers, 25 years old or younger, who have made at least one start in the major leagues this season. The current edition of “Thom’s Take” reviews the young, up-and-coming pitchers in this age group. To see it and track other fantasy news each week, subscribe to STATS Fantasy Advantage. SFA offers 2008 player projections, latest player injury info, team depth charts and “Thom’s Take,” all for the reasonable price of $19.95 for the entire season. Find out more or sign up at stats.com.