Joey Volchko will be a Fantastic Pitcher for the White Sox

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The White Sox have a really good core of position players and there is plenty in the pipeline coming. As for the pitching side of things, they could use reinforcements. It’s been great seeing what they have at the big league level, but they do need more. That’s where Volchko comes into play. 

Volchko began his career at Stanford, but ultimately transferred to Georgia, where he would have the best season of his collegiate career. I always tell fans to watch college baseball, especially the college World Series because you do see some of the best pitching performances. Kade Anderson out on a clinic in the 2025 college World Series against Coastal Carolina. Volchko did the same against Texas A&M. Volchko pitched a complete game throwing 113 pitches and striking out a career high 15 batters. His catcher Daniel Jackson (drafted by the Colorado Rockies), took notice of that and shed light on how great it was to be apart of. 

"I don't think I've ever been a part of something that cool”. Even better, Volchko said it was the best feeling he’s ever had. That’s what makes college baseball what it is. Players competing and playing life every game is their last. 

It capped off a great season for Volchko. He saw his biggest workload and it led to a big season. 

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Volchko pitched the most innings of his career (95.1) and finished with an ERA of 3.68. This was a massive improvement from his 6.01 ERA he had his sophomore season at Stanford. He became a massive strikeout machine, averaging 11.2 K/9 and also ranking in the 95th percentile for strikeout rate. As you look at the chart above, playing into the strikeouts is his swing and miss ability and getting that chase outside the zone. The WHIP was the lowest of his career, which was huge to see, despite the walk rate being a tad bit high. What also stands out is his Stuff+, which ranks very high on the percentile rankings. 

When it comes to his arsenal he has a lot of great tools to work with and an arsenal that has tremendous upside. Volchko leads with his sinker, averaging 94-96 MPH and is a pitch with great spin. Tailing off of it is his sweeper, which was one of the best graded pitches this college season. His sweeper finished with a 155 Stuff+, which was second of any pitch this season. It’s his best graded pitch overall, having a 65 grade. 

Command has been something to monitor overall, but given changes to his delivery and tinkering with the arsenal, that could have been a key factor. He does also have a curveball and changeup, but those are hardly thrown. 

I LOVE this pick and was very excited when Chris Getz grabbed him. He’s one of those prospects you attach yourself to early if you believe in the player. As someone who enjoyed Volchko this season, it’ll be great to see his ascension through the system.