Padres Select Loyola Marymount RHP Xavier Esquivel With 34th Round Pick in 2010 MLB Draft

The Padres continued a long string of pitchers by selecting Loyola Marymount righty Xavier Esquivel in Round 34.

Esquivel, 22, was a four-year player for Loyola Marymount, working in both relief and starting roles.

As a senior, he posted a ghastly 7.34 ERA, although that looks to be mostly bad luck–he had a 40/14 K/BB ratio in 46 innings. Seven homers allowed are an issue, though. It’s worth noting that all but one pitcher on Esquivel’s college team posted an ERA over 5.00 this year, so that speaks to either a difficult pitching environment, horrible defense, or both. Probably both.

The Padres like his attitude and three solid pitches, so I think Esquivel, despite his low draft status, is very likely to sign.

He’s a short, stocky righty with a fastball around 90 mph. He’s got a nice curveball and a changeup good enough to use in relief.

Esquivel seems like a guy with enough polish that he could at least kick around the lower minors for a couple of years. Beyond that is anyone’s guess.