Texas Rangers Sign Right-Hander Cal Quantrill to Minor League Deal
The Texas Rangers have bolstered their pitching depth by agreeing to a minor league contract with right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill, a deal that includes an invitation to major league Spring Training. The move provides the Rangers with an experienced rotation option as they seek to stabilize their pitching staff for the upcoming season.
Quantrill, 29, spent the 2024 season with the Colorado Rockies, where he served as a staple in their rotation. He finished the year with an 8-10 record and a 4.98 ERA across 148 innings. Originally a first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2016, Quantrill experienced his peak performance during a stint with the Cleveland Guardians. In 2022, he delivered a breakout campaign, going 15-5 with a 3.38 ERA over 186.1 innings, showcasing his durability and ability to limit hard contact. He is the son of former major league All-Star reliever Paul Quantrill.
While the signing offers the Rangers a low-risk veteran presence, there are questions regarding Quantrill’s potential impact. Critics often point to his low strikeout capabilities as a potential liability; he relies heavily on balls in play rather than overpowering hitters. His strikeout rate in 2024 hovered around 17%, significantly below the league average for starters. Furthermore, his metrics suggest that his success is highly dependent on defensive performance, which can lead to volatility in his results. Skeptics argue that without an increase in velocity or swing-and-miss stuff, his ceiling may be limited to a depth role or long relief rather than a reliable mid-rotation starter.
Despite these analytical objections, the Rangers prioritize inning-eaters, and Quantrill has proven capable of shouldering a heavy workload. He has made at least 22 starts in three of the last four seasons, a trait that appeals to a Texas team that has dealt with significant rotation injuries in recent years. If Quantrill can rediscover the form he displayed in Cleveland, this minor league agreement could evolve into a high-value acquisition for the Rangers.
