Padres' Top Pick Cal Quantrill to Join TinCaps

Eighth Overall Pick Will Start at Parkview Field on Wednesday

By Mike Monaco

August 30, 2016

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill, the eighth overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, has been promoted to the TinCaps and will start at Parkview Field on Wednesday night.

Quantrill will start the series opener against the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers) on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. The former Stanford standout will become the 29th first-round or supplemental first-round selection of the Padres to play in Fort Wayne since the two clubs began their affiliation in 1999.

Quantrill joins the TinCaps from the Short-Season-A Tri-City Dust Devils, with whom he posted a 1.93 ERA in five starts totaling 18.2 innings. The native of Port Hope, Ontario, piled up 28 strikeouts against just two walks with the Dust Devils. Between Tri-City and the Arizona Rookie League, Quantrill has fanned 44 in 32.1 innings with just four walks.

The Padres nabbed Quantrill with the first of their three first-round or supplemental first-round choices in the 2016 Draft. Quantrill, the son of Paul Quantrill, who logged 14 seasons in the majors, spent three seasons at Stanford. In 2014, he earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors and was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year after compiling a 2.68 ERA in 110.2 innings. After three starts as a sophomore, Quantrill underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2015 and did not pitch again for the Cardinal.

Quantrill becomes the 12th consecutive Padres first-round or supplemental first-round pick who signed with San Diego to join Fort Wayne. Recent first-rounders or supplemental first-rounders to play for Fort Wayne include Trea Turner (2014), Hunter Renfroe (2013), Max Fried (2013-14), Zach Eflin (2013), Travis Jankowski (2012), Cory Spangenberg (2011), Joe Ross (2012-13) and Jace Peterson (2012).

With three home games remaining, the TinCaps have averaged 6,082 fans per game this season, which is on track to set a franchise record. Fort Wayne's attendance ranks second out of 100 Single-A/Rookie clubs and is higher than 27 of 30 Double-A franchises and 12 of 30 Triple-A organizations. Fort Wayne's total attendance of 395,304 is the largest ever through 67 scheduled games, despite two rainouts, in TinCaps history.

Quantrill and the TinCaps begin the final home series of the season Wednesday at Parkview Field at 7:05 p.m. against the Loons. Tickets are available through TinCapsTickets.com. Fans at Wednesday's game can receive a free TinCaps Calendar, presented by Parkview Physicians Group, and kids 12 and younger can receive a free Webkinz^TM toy.