Cal Quantrill named PCL pitcher of the week

Q: What did Cal Quantrill achieve to be named PCL Pitcher of the Week?

Cal Quantrill earned the title after a series of strong performances, including a seven-inning game where he allowed just two hits and one run.

Q: How did Cal Quantrill perform in his first start of the season?

In his first start, Quantrill struggled, pitching only two innings and giving up seven runs while walking four batters.

Q: What are the chances of Cal Quantrill being called up to the Rangers?

Cal Quantrill is considered the top candidate for a call-up if the Rangers need a rotation filler, though the current bullpen situation may reduce that likelihood.

Q: Why did Cal Quantrill stay with the Rangers instead of opting out?

Cal Quantrill chose to remain with the Rangers after being one of the final cuts, opting to continue his minor league deal rather than exercising his right to opt out.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 11: Cal Quantrill #47 of Team Canada pitches during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool A game presented by Capital One between Team Canada and Team Cuba at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Round Rock express pitcher Cal Quantrill has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, it was announced today.

Quantrill, 31, was one of the Rangers’ final cuts this spring, but agreed to stay with the team rather than exercise his right to opt out of his minor league deal. His first start of the season for Round Rock went poorly, as he made it just two innings while giving up seven runs and, uncharacteristically, walking four batters. He followed that up with a five inning, three hit, no walk, four K shutout appearance, and then last week went seven innings while allowing just two hits, one run (on a solo homer), and no walks, striking out six.

Quantrill was signed as rotation depth for the Rangers, though so far, the team has not had to dip down to AAA for rotation reinforcements as of yet. He would probably be the top candidate to be called up if the Rangers needed to fill a spot in the minors, though the presence of Jacob Latz in the bullpen currently makes it less likely the Rangers would have to go that way for a rotation filler.

Quantrill was once a top prospect, taken 8th overall by the San Diego Padres out of Stanford in 2016 despite recovering from Tommy John surgery. He went to Cleveland in the nine-player trade at the 2020 trade deadline that sent Mike Clevinger to San Diego. Quantrill had a couple of good seasons for Cleveland, in 2021 and 2022, but even in those seasons his peripherals were weaker than his ERA would suggest.

Quantrill was traded to Colorado after the 2023 season for minor league catcher Kody Huff — who is not, incidentally, related to Sam Huff, though both went to high school in Arizona — and had a decent year for the Rockies. He made 24 starts for Miami in 2025 and two for Atlanta, combining for a 6.04 ERA and 5.76 xERA, which helps explain why he had to settle for a minor league contract this year.

Quantrill does not have the sort of stuff you’d expect to play as a short reliever, so if he were to come up at some point in a role other than as a spot starter, he’d likely be a long reliever — you could see him getting the nod to replace Latz in the bullpen if a Ranger starter were to go on the injured list and Latz was filling in for more than a one-off start. Otherwise, given the state of arms around the majors, if Quantrill continues to have the sort of success he’s had the last couple of times out, I imagine some team in need of a body for their rotation may look to sign him to eat some innings.