With the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft beginning Thursday, we’ve reached the conclusion of the series of draft profiles. In the final, we look at some of the prospects I identified last year as my personal favorites.
Cal Quantrill, Stanford
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’3/185
B/T: Left/Right
DOB: 10/2/1995
His name should sound familiar, as his dad Paul pitched for the Dodgers in the early 2000s. Quantrill was another prospect I liked early in the draft process.
However, this was three years ago, before he spurned the New York Yankees and went to Stanford. Quantrill pitched very well in his freshman year and looked like he would a surefire first-rounder as a junior, but he hurt his elbow after just three starts in his sophomore year and had Tommy John surgery.
He hasn’t pitched in a competitive game since. Before he was hurt, Quantrill had an advanced four pitch mix. His fastball sat in the low 90s, touching the mid 90s and he commanded the pitch well.
His curveball, slider and changeup all flashed at least average, with the curve looking like his out pitch. Quantrill threw plenty of strikes and had the feel you’d expect from the son of a Major Leaguer.
It’s odd that Quantrill, who has since recovered from the procedure, hasn’t pitched. However, it makes sense if a team has already agreed to a deal with him. The rumor is that a certain Southern California team has an agreement in place to take him in the first round: the San Diego Padres.
However, it’s not confirmed and we won’t know who it is until draft day, so until then we can dream.
CONTINUE READING: High school outfielder who has room to grow