Former Cal Poly pitcher Drew Thorpe headed to Padres as part of Juan Soto trade

Former standout Cal Poly pitcher Drew Thorpe is going from the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres as part of a deal for star outfielder Juan Soto.

The trade is centered around the Padres’ sending Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees in exchange for Thorpe, Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and Kyle Higashioka, according to Jon Morosi.

Thorpe last played for the Mustangs in 2022, when the Friday-night pitcher struck out 149 batters in his sophomore season, for third best in the Big West. Thorpe earned Big West Pitcher of the Year Honors and was a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award.

Thorpe is the Mustangs’ all-time leader in strikeouts. In his final season, he allowed a 2.32 ERA and sported a 10-1 record while being a consensus All-American.

In the 2022 MLB Draft, Thorpe was selected by the Yankees with the 61st overall pick. Thorpe was the second Mustang selected in the draft after the Minnesota Twins picked shortstop Brooks Lee eighth overall.

With the Yankees, Thorpe had a standout first year in the minor leagues playing for the Double A Somerset Patriots and High A Hudson Valley Renegades.

The Utah native was named the 2023 Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year after leading the Minors with 182 strikeouts in 139-1/3 innings and finishing second with 14 wins.