Canadian Cal Quantrill picked 8th overall by San Diego Padres at MLB draft

Right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill, son of former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Paul Quantrill, became the second highest Canadian ever chosen in the MLB draft when the San Diego Padres selected him eighth overall on Thursday night.

The 21-year-old from Port Hope, Ont., moved ahead of North Delta, B.C., native Jeff Francis, who was selected ninth overall by Colorado in 2002. Adam Loewen of Surrey, B.C., went fourth overall to Baltimore, also in 2002.

Also Thursday, Toronto catcher Andrew Yerzy was taken in the second round, 52nd overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Quantrill, a sophomore at Stanford University, missed the entire 2016 college season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. He made three starts for the Cardinal before his March 2015 surgery, going 2-0 with a 1.93 earned-run average.

As a freshman in 2014, Quantrill went 7-5 with a 2.68 ERA and 98 strikeouts through a team-high 110 2/3 innings.

Quantrill was a mainstay on Canada's junior national team from 2011-'13, helping the squad win a silver medal at the IBAF 18-under world championship in 2012.

The New York Yankees had previously drafted Quantrill as a high school senior in the 26th round of the 2013 draft.

This was Yerzy's first year of draft eligibility. The 18-year-old tied for first place at last year's junior home run derby at the all-star weekend in Cincinnati.

Blue Jays pick college pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays selected right-hander T.J. Zeuch with the 21st overall pick.

An imposing presence on the mound at six foot seven and 217 pounds, Zeuch throws in the mid-90s. The 20-year-old native of Mason, Ohio spent the last three seasons with the University of Pittsburgh.

"I'm feeling very excited," Zeuch said on a conference call. "My first initial feeling after seeing my name was a bit of relief. I've been working at this since I was five years old, throwing a baseball for the first time. I fell in love with the game then and I knew this is what I wanted to do.

"Getting an opportunity to play professionally is a dream come true."

Zeuch led the Panthers with a 3.10 earned-run average this past season. He had a 6-1 record over 10 starts with 74 strikeouts and 19 walks.

Amateur scouting director Brian Parker feels Zeuch has plenty of upside.

"He had a good spring, he missed a couple weeks with a groin injury, he came back and we saw him a lot the rest of the way," Parker said at an availability in Toronto. "We saw him last summer, (he) pitches well, he's a guy we like. He needs to work on a few things as all pitchers do, but it's a 20-year-old projectable college pitcher."

Zeuch is seventh on the school's all-time list with 205 strikeouts over 212 2/3 innings.

"Today we are all very proud of T.J. being drafted in the first round by the Blue Jays," Panthers head coach Joe Jordano said in a release. "He certainly earned this lofty position and has worked very hard for this day to become a reality. There is no question, T.J. looks at this day as a new start, a new beginning on his journey to the big leagues.

"I cannot be happier for him and look forward to watching his progress with great admiration."

The Blue Jays selected University of Mississippi outfielder J.B. Woodman with the 57th overall pick.  Toronto also selected high school shortstop Bo Bichette at No. 66.

The draft continues through Saturday.

Phillies pick California high schooler 1st overall

The Philadelphia Phillies selected California high school outfielder Mickey Moniak with the top overall pick.

Moniak, from La Costa Canyon High School in south Carlsbad, became the first prep outfielder chosen No. 1 overall since Tampa Bay drafted Delmon Young in 2003.

The selection, announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios, marks the first time the Phillies have led off the draft since they took Miami slugger Pat Burrell in 1998.

With no consensus No. 1 talent this year, there was plenty of uncertainty about who the Phillies would grab right up until they officially went on the clock.

"I definitely wouldn't say there's pressure," Moniak said in an interview on MLB Network. "I'm excited to hopefully prove the Phillies right."

The left-handed-hitting Moniak is six-foot-two and 190 pounds and is considered a five-tool talent whose stock rose throughout his senior season. He consistently hits to all fields with solid power to the gaps. Moniak is also an outstanding defensive player who has good speed and is expected to remain in centre field as a pro.

"Collectively, we believe Mickey was the best player available in the draft," Phillies scouting director Johnny Almaraz said in a statement. "He's a true centre fielder with incredible offensive ability and the potential to be a perennial All-Star."

Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel went second to Cincinnati, giving the Reds a slugger who might someday provide some pop in the middle of their lineup.

Senzel is the Volunteers' highest-drafted player, surpassing Todd Helton, who went eighth overall in 1995. Senzel's draft stock rose dramatically after a terrific performance last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he won the MVP award and was selected as the top prospect. He followed that up with a terrific season for Vols, hitting .352 with eight homers, 59 RBIs and an SEC-leading 25 doubles along with 25 stolen bases that led the team.

He could stick at third base or move to shortstop, where he played some this season.

Atlanta took high school right-hander Ian Anderson, who was in attendance at the draft site.

The six-foot-three, 170-pounder from Shenendehowa High School in New York state missed some time on the mound with a strained oblique, but has a fastball that sits in the 91-94 m.p.h. range, and he mixes in a solid breaking pitch with terrific control. Anderson helped Team USA's 18-and-under team win the gold medal at the World Cup in Japan last fall.