In recent weeks, it has almost become a guarantee that Cal Quantrill<\/a><\/strong> will give his Colorado Rockies<\/a> a strong performance whenever he takes the mound. In seven of his eight starts between April 15 and May 26, he allowed two earned runs or fewer, with the exception being his start in Mexico City (elevation 7,330 feet). The Rockies went 5\u20132 in those seven games. Quantrill\u2019s record in the seven was 4\u20130.<\/p>\n The product has been terrific. So has the process. All seven starts were Quality Starts, meaning he lasted six innings or more while giving up three earned runs or fewer.<\/p>\n An offseason move that went under the radar, especially outside the Mountain Time Zone, saw the Rockies trade Single-A catcher Kody Huff<\/a><\/strong> to the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> for Quantrill. Quantrill had come off an injury-plagued and, consequently, subpar 2023 season for the Guardians after pitching effectively for them in 2022.<\/p>\n But this move had tremendous potential for the Rockies. Here was a pitcher who knew the division, having been drafted and developed by the San Diego Padres<\/a>. He had pitched effectively enough in the majors to get a spot on the Canadian National Team for the World Baseball Classic. This pitcher is of major-league pedigree, being the son of Paul Quantrill<\/a><\/strong>, a pitcher who logged 14 years in the majors and was one of the coaches for Team Canada. Furthermore, Cal pitched at Stanford University, a longtime college baseball power, and played for Mark Marquess, whose 41 years at Stanford produced two national championships and dozens of major leaguers, including Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Mussina<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Cal Quantrill was the type of pitcher the Rockies needed in their rotation. Left-handed starter Austin Gomber<\/a><\/strong> noted that Quantrill brought \u201cstability\u201d at a time when they desperately needed it. He pointed out that they\u2019ve had injuries to starters the past few years, notably German Marquez<\/a><\/strong> and Antonio Senzatela<\/a><\/strong>, and a veteran like Quantrill \u201cknows how to go about his business\u201d and knows how to be successful at the major league level. \u201cI think it\u2019s good for the team and good for the young guys in the clubhouse to be able to have somebody to model themselves after,\u201d Gomber said.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Cal, we\u2019re getting a very professional approach,\u201d Rockies manager Bud Black<\/a><\/strong> said. \u201cGreat preparer. Does his homework. All the processes that you look for out of any player are in place with Cal. He’s a pro.\u201d<\/p>\n Pitching coach Darryl Scott<\/a><\/strong> recalled the first time he talked to Quantrill on the phone. Scott was impressed with Quantrill\u2019s mindset and goals. According to Scott, Quantrill said, \u201cHey, I don’t really care about the numbers. All I care about is I want to get deep in every game. I want to give us a chance to win. And I want to pitch six, seven, eight innings every outing. That’s my goal. How many innings can I get over the course of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott knew from that conversation that Quantrill had the right mindset to pitch for the Rockies. He added, \u201cThat’s what he brings \u2014 that competitor mindset. \u2018How deep can I get in the game? How far can I go? I just want to give the team a chance to go every night.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Quantrill has been a spark to the Rockies, both on the field and in the clubhouse. Reliever Justin Lawrence<\/a><\/strong> said of Quantrill, \u201cHe brings a unique boost of energy in all aspects of it, not just baseball. The friendships he made instantly when he came over here\u2014he’s very loud, exuberant, and funny. It’s a breath of fresh air of a personality that this clubhouse needed.\u201d<\/p>\n Catcher Jacob Stallings<\/a><\/strong> added, \u201cAnytime you have somebody who comes in with a track record of being a good major-league starting pitcher, (there\u2019s) instant credibility. But he brought stability to the rotation, and (he\u2019s) a guy that we knew (we\u2019d) get innings from and knew we were gonna get a competitor out of.\u201d<\/p>\n Cal Quantrill\u2019s first two starts of the season did not show much promise. Both came on the road, the first against the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> and the second against the Chicago Cubs<\/a>. Against the Diamondbacks, Quantrill allowed five runs, all earned, on nine hits with a walk, a strikeout, and two homers across five innings. Quantrill only lasted four innings against the Cubs, allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts.<\/p>\n His season started to turn around in his third start. It was his first home start in a Rockies uniform, and it came against the Diamondbacks. Despite surrendering eight hits, including two solo homers, Quantrill still put up a Quality Start, allowing three runs across six innings while walking none and striking out six. The Diamondbacks won, 3\u20132, behind the pitching of Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong>, but Quantrill had nothing to be ashamed of. He built upon that in his next start, which was the one that started the span mentioned earlier.<\/p>\nHow the Rockies Acquired Cal Quantrill<\/h3>\n
What Cal Quantrill Brings to the Rockies<\/h3>\n
Off the Field<\/h4>\n
Opening Performance<\/h3>\n
The Turning Point for Cal Quantrill<\/h3>\n