Volz Honored by Baseball America

[BigBearFan]

Baylor's Kendal Volz was named the third-best professional prospect from the 2008 USA Baseball National Team in Baseball America's rankings, released Thursday by the publication. Volz was the highest-rated of the team's four pitchers from the Big 12 Conference.

More... (http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/bay/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/091208aaa.html)

[BaylorDan]

A starting pitcher at Baylor, Volz moved into the closer role for Team USA without any hiccups. In 13 appearances, Volz racked up eight saves and did not allow a single earned run. He threw 14 innings total, struck out 16 and allowed just six hits. Volz was on the mound for the final out of Team USA's season, inducing a game-ending ground ball to second base with the tying runner on third.

A 6-foot-4, 225-pound physical specimen, Volz is a powerful athlete with two power pitches. He attacks hitters with a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 95 and has even more future projection. Volz works off his fastball and commands it well in the zone. He also throws a hard slider at 82 mph with late, sharp break and depth. Those two pitches alone make Volz a candidate to be a closer at the big league level. However, he also throws an effective changeup. With his frame and the ability to use three pitches, Volz will at least be given a chance to start at the pro level.

[BaylorDan]

Cape Cod prospect listings by Baseball America includes:

15. Shawn Tolleson, rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (R-So., Baylor)

Tolleson looked like a potential first-round pick in high school before blowing out his elbow as a senior, requiring Tommy John surgery that forced him to redshirt in 2007 at Baylor. He could regain that status as a draft-eligible sophomore next spring. Tolleson had a 5.66 ERA in five starts before finding his niche in the bullpen, showing a low-90s fastball and a hard slider while posting a 0.55 ERA in seven appearances.

18. Craig Fritsch, rhp, Yarmouth-Dennis (So., Baylor)

Fristch was inconsistent, getting tagged for an 11.32 ERA in his three losses and posting a 1.05 ERA otherwise. When he was on, he located his 91-92 mph fastball very well and also featured a good slider and a usable changeup. There's still a lot of projection remaining in his 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame.