The Rangers are in agreement with starter Cal Quantrill on a minor league deal, reports Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The Excel Sports Management client finished the 2025 season in the Texas organization and will be back in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Quantrill split his MLB work last season between the Braves and Marlins. Signed to a $3.5MM contract over the offseason, the former eighth overall pick made 24 starts for Miami. He ate 109 2/3 innings but struggled to a 5.50 earned run average with a 17.4% strikeout rate. Quantrill had a terrible April, and a solid three-month run thereafter wasn’t enough to drum up any trade interest. Things went back off the rails in August, as opponents tagged him for 15 runs in his first three starts of the month.
Miami released Quantrill at that point. Atlanta gave him a very brief look as they cycled through journeymen starters while their rotation was wrecked by injury. Quantrill gave up three runs in 4 2/3 frames against the Mets in his team debut. The Phillies put up a nine-spot five days later and the Braves moved on. Texas added him on a minor league contract. Quantrill started twice for Triple-A Round Rock, tossing 11 innings of four-run ball with 14 punchouts and one walk.
It was a solid enough first impression that Texas brings him back as a minor league free agent. The Rangers have as strong a top three in their rotation as any team in MLB with Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and MacKenzie Gore. They’re well set with Jack Leiter as the fourth starter. It falls off sharply from there. Jacob Latz and Kumar Rocker are probably competing for the fifth starter role. Latz pitched well last year but was mostly a reliever. Rocker fought mechanical issues.
The Rangers are well served to stash veteran depth options in camp and potentially to begin the season with Round Rock. They’ve also brought in Nabil Crismatt and Austin Gomber on minor league deals.
Solid #8 starter
I’m surprised the Yankees didn’t sign him instead of Berlinger.
Surprised about the dumb comment. -110 iq
Surprised no one has converted him to a RP. It’s looks like every MLB appearance has been as a SP.
Batting practice pitcher?
Rangers need this. They are injury prone teams. I can’t really be talking because of the Astros but one reason the Rangers missed the playoffs were injuries, like the Astros. Good pickup.
Quantrill or J.P. France?
I think I’d take Q just because he had three solid months with Miami last season. His pitch mix is deep, but cannot go a 3rd time around a lineup.
Like someone said above, he’s a fine 7-8th starter. Now Miami has Ryan Gusto for that matter.
Dang I was really hoping the Brewers would pick him up…
I truly, very truly thought about 8-9 years ago that this guy was going to be absolutely special. Zonk.
Thought the same at that time about Yasiel Puig.
No thank you for this latest unwelcome reminder of how poorly I pick ‘em.
Don’t feel too bad. Most people in baseball thought Puig was going to be a superstar for a long time, and it wasn’t for no reason at all.
Feels like it was only yesterday Puig was sniffing bats and flipping off fans in the stands
Solid for 2020-2022 –
Then tanked. Fine line at the highest level.
If he’s getting innings, the season’s cooked.
Not a bad get on a minors deal. Thought someone would guarantee him $2M or so.
Good luck Cal!
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Had to wait until Reese McGuire signed to make sure they didn’t end up in the same spot.
I’d take Paul Quantrill right now over Cal. Anyone who makes the big leagues is a top .00001 % baseball player, but in terms of the average major leaguer, Cal is below replacement level