Padres First Draft Pick Cal Quantrill Profile

With the eighth pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres selected right-hander Cal Quantrill out of Stanford University last week.

“I am incredibly excited to be a member of the San Diego Padres organization,” Quantrill said in a Stanford press release. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family and friends, and I can’t wait to start my pro career.” (The Mercury-News)

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The 6-foot-3, 195 pound junior missed the entire season while rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery. As a sophomore he made three starts, going 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA before he suffered suffered the elbow injury. He was the first freshman to start opening day for the Cardinal since Mike Mussina in 1988. Quantrill went 7-5 that year with a 2.68 ERA, earning Louisvlle Slugger Freshman All-Freshman and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors.

Had he not suffered that injury, you have to wonder where he would have went in the draft.

“We feel like we got a value play,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said. “Honestly, if he’s healthy all year pitching at Stanford, we probably don’t see him there at pick eight.”  (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

After 14 months of recovering from the surgery, Quantrill is excited and ready to go.

“I’m 100 percent ready to go. … I’ve never felt better,” Quantrill said. “The moment I get the chance, I’ll be ready to start pitching. I didn’t pitch this year; that was my decision. I was following a good plan written by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. I did a big-league plan, I did a big-league workout, did a big-league rehab. I’ve taken the right amount of time, and now I’m excited to show everyone what I’m capable of.” (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

He has shown in the past he can throw a 94 MPH fastball, but has noticed an improvement. He also throws an above average change-up and sold-average sliders and curve-balls.

“I don’t know exactly what the velo is now, but it’s in the mid-90s just during (bullpen sessions),” said Quantrill. “I’m not too concerned about it. Velo is a nice tool to have, but the most important thing is putting the ball where you want it, and I’m going to continue to try and do that.” (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

His father Paul played 13 years in the majors and had a career ERA of 3.68.

Quantrill was originally drafted out of Trinity College High School (Pope Hope, Ontario) by the New York Yankees in the 2013 Draft (26th round) before he made the commitment to pitch for Stanford.

The Padres pitching has struggled the past two years and although Quantrill may not be making his major league debut the next year or so, he just may be the guy that can help turn things around on the mound.

The Padres officially signed Quantrill on Monday.