Despite a 670-day absence from baseball in 2021 and 2022 due to Tommy John surgery for a UCL tear, Paulshawn Pasqualotto rebounded in grand fashion on the mound this year for the Bears. Recognizing his efforts and talent, Pasqualotto was drafted in the 12th round, 357th overall, of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins.

Following a phenomenal high school career at Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas where he was the No. 1 player in Nevada’s 2020 class, the right-hander didn’t miss a beat at Stu Gordon Stadium. Pasqualatto was the No. 3 arm in the Bears’ rotation in 2020 and posted a 4.57 ERA and 36 strikeouts in just over 43 innings pitched, and earned Freshman All-American honors.

Pasqualatto missed the last six weeks of his freshman season, along with his entire sophomore season, to repair the UCL tear. He returned better than ever this year as a junior, pitching to a 5-1 record with a 4.03 ERA and 51 strikeouts across 58 innings pitched.

Pasqualatto’s 58 innings was the most by any Cal pitcher this year, and his ERA was the lowest for any of the starting pitchers with four or more starts.

Pasqualatto will now turn his sights on performing in the big leagues as Cal’s only representative in the 2023 MLB Draft.