The Boston Red Sox have selected LHP Josh Volmerding out of Cal Poly College with their eighth-round pick.
Volmerding possesses the exact type of raw traits that have become increasingly attractive to CBO Craig Breslow and the player development staff.
Standing 6'4" at 210 lbs, he automatically checks one of the organization's favorite boxes, which is projection. Breslow has a liking for tall and lengthy pitchers, and Volmerding is just another example who generates downhill plane and extension. The Red Sox believe that, with just a few mechanical adjustments and modern pitching development, they can become a deadly threat for the future.
Just look at the likes of Jake Bennett, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, and Garrett Crochet in these circumstances. Crochet had turned into a Cy Young contender in 2025 with more precision after his 2024 breakout season with the Chicago White Sox. Tolle, Early, and Bennett have all been great assets in their starting rotation, with great development in the minor leagues. With Volmerding, the Red Sox believe the same will happen to him.
Josh Volderming can blossom into something special in Boston
Talking with Volmerding shortly after his draft selection, he had lots to say about playing for an organization that's the best fit for pitchers like him.
Volmerding grew up in Santa Rosa, CA, and was a huge San Francisco Giants fan, and admired the likes of Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Crawford. In fact, he's worn #40 throughout his career because of Bumgarner.
The 21-year-old junior is coming off a 6.51 ERA campaign, with 31 strikeouts and only 10 walks, which is a good ratio over 27 1/3 innings pitched that season. His K/9 was 10.1 with a BB/9 of 3.3, which is great for a junior in college. A knee injury sidelined him for nearly seven weeks, from March 15 to May 2, including a PRP shot as well. To Volmerding, he's learned a lot from this injury and is moving forward positively.
"I had a great fall, consistently 92-94, touching 95 [mph] all the time, [with] lots of strikeouts...took that 2-month break and honestly learned as much as I think you could've considering the circumstances. I came back doing great, helping the team, which, at the end of the day, is all I wanted to do for Poly. I think the best part is [that] I know I helped contribute to our first-ever Super Regional appearance and Regional win, so to me, that means a lot," Volmerding said.
Volmerding is one of the seven Cal Poly pitchers selected in this draft, which is the most since 2008 in their history. Many MLB players have come out of Cal Poly with great careers, including pitchers. Bryan Woo, Bud Norris, Kevin Correia, and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith are the most notable names.
Now, getting drafted to an organization with a lot of famous, future names and a rich history behind it, Volmerding is ready for it.
"I think it’s going to be great, learning from them and just being around good talent in general always [helps] elevate my game. I’ve been able to play with some good players at Poly the past few years, and just being around them all have gotten me better, so I know I’ll be carrying that into these next steps."
There's no guarantee that this will pan out, like every pick in the draft, and Volmerding will likely join Low-A Salem due to the untapped potential that he has. However, the potential is there, and the Red Sox will do everything possible to develop him. That is a definite.
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