Padres News: Padres Select Cal Quantrill with Their 1st Selection

The San Diego Padres have made their first selection and just as I predicted it was a college pitcher. The team is really weak in the upper minor league system as far as starting pitching goes. Quantrill will help fill that void in the next few seasons.

Padres select Stanford RHP Cal Quantrill. Coming off Tommy John surgery last year. High upside. Some had him top three before surgery.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 10, 2016

Though he hasn’t thrown much in the past two plus seasons due to Tommy John surgery. He looks to be fully recovered in time for the short league season this Summer. The pitch might be viewed as a risk by some, but Quantrill has a very high ceiling and could be a great pick for the Padres.

With the 8th selection of the 2016 #MLBDraft, the @Padres select @cal_quantrill47, RHP, Stanford pic.twitter.com/A8eSoX0hyk

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 10, 2016

With two more picks in the first round the Padres could be poised to have a great draft. Quantrill has outstanding makeup being the son of former major league pitcher Paul Quantrill. Before his injury he was easily considered a top-5 selection in the draft. He held a 2.68 ERA in 111 innings during his Freshman year. He followed that up with an excellent stint in the Coastal Plain League where he had a 1.59 ERA in 23 innings pitched. He struck out 33 batters in that time while walking nine.

.@Padres select @StanfordBSB RHP Cal Quantrill with 8th overall pick in #MLBDraft: https://t.co/jegklxZlX7pic.twitter.com/QIDzzfgFfv

— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 10, 2016

Quantrill possesses a low to mid 90’s fastball with an above average change up. He also features a slider and a curveball, though both pitches are just average at the moment. He has great command and presence on the mound and looks to be a solid prospect. Take a look at this video of him on the mound.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.