Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in Miami

EDINSON VOLQUEZ

Do not let his 3-7 record fool you. Edinson Volquez will be in demand next month.

With a no-hitter under his belt this year, Volquez has improved from his disastrous campaign with the Kansas City Royals last year. Over 72.2 innings in 13 starts, his 7.3 hits-per-9 rate is the lowest since 2009 with the Cincinnati Reds. However, his 39 walks give you pause.

Always wild, his 4.8 BB/9 is the highest since Volquez led the NL in walks with the San Diego Padres in 2009. Still, with the good hit ratio, his WHIP of 1.349 is close to what he had with the Royals in their 2015 championship season. Under contract for 2018, a contender will want his services.

A six-inning pitcher most nights, his no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks was a work of art. With only two walks, he fanned a season-high 10 at home on June 3. Perhaps most impressive for a pitcher with control issues is needing 98 pitches to pull off the no-no.

A loser of his first seven decisions, Volquez followed up his moment with a strong seven-inning three-hitter in Pittsburgh. Last time out, it caught up with him as the Oakland Athletics chased him after four frames with four hits and walks for five runs.

Starting Opening Day in Washington, Volquez pitched five solid scoreless innings, fanning six on four hits before getting yanked.