Shushkewich: Pineau ready to begin pro career with Padres
Toronto Mets and Junior National Team alum Jack Pineau (Thunder Bay, Ont.), shown here with the Creighton Blue Jays, recently signed with the San Diego Padres. Photo: Creighton Athletics
July 26, 2026
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
Draft day can be a stressful time for any age of baseball player.
Whether it’s a prep star weighing their options of pursuing higher education or the pro circuit, or the collegiate player who is hoping someone gives them a chance at the next level, that two-day span can be nerve-wracking for even the strongest player on the diamond.
For right-hander Jack Pineau (Thunder Bay, Ont.), draft day was no different.
“I felt ready to start my pro career,” said Pineau. “I made that pretty clear to any scout or any organization that I spoke to throughout the season. I have absolutely loved my time at Creighton, and I know that I have become a better player under Coach Kingston and the rest of the staff, but I felt ready for the next level. The ultimate goal is that next step, playing pro baseball.”
Pineau was waiting throughout MLB All-Star weekend, hoping to hear his name come across the ticker and the news to light up on his phone. He had a solid season as the Friday night starter for the Creighton Blue Jays, and Pineau had hoped he had done enough for a big league team to give him a chance.
As a junior for the Jays, Pineau made 16 starts and pitched to a 4.21 ERA across 83 1/3 innings. He struck out 82 batters, posted a 1.188 WHIP and held opponents to a .235 batting average. Pineau made the most starts for the Jays and led the team in numerous categories, including innings pitched, strikeouts, WHIP, and BB/9 (2.8). This was after injuries derailed his sophomore campaign and limited him to just 10 outings.
“I think the biggest thing about this past season was that I was able to stay healthy,” said Pineau. “My goal was just trying to give my team a chance to win as the Friday night starter, and being able to take the mound regularly and produce was a big thing for me. I was healthy for most of my time as a high schooler, and to be hit with injuries at Creighton was a new experience for me. It was incredibly frustrating. Just being able to make those starts in such a crucial year, and improving each day and just battling with my guys, I think put me in a good position this summer.”
As Day 2 of the draft dragged on, Pineau's nervousness was hitting its peak. With five picks left in the draft, the Thunder Bay product was starting to get discouraged that his plans of playing pro baseball this year were going to be shelved – but then his phone started to ring, and it was a fellow Canuck on the other end of the line waiting with some good news.
“I was getting nervous that I hadn’t done enough to get drafted,” explained Pineau. “I was hearing some rumblings early on Day 2 and then things went radio silent for me. I remember watching my phone and hoping someone would call, anybody. And with just five picks left in the draft, it started going off, and it was Chris Kemlo on the other line.”
Kemlo is a regional scout (Canada) and the international crosschecker for the San Diego Padres. The Oshawa, Ont., native has an extensive track record in the baseball scene north of the border, including coaching the Toronto Mets 18U squad, a team that Pineau played for before heading south of the border for D1 baseball.
And now, Kemlo was giving Pineau a chance to live out that dream of playing at the next level as an undrafted free agent signing with the Padres.
“It really felt like a full circle moment,” said Pineau. “Here I am, sitting and waiting to hear my name called in the draft, and it’s a former coach calling and letting me know that there is an opportunity for me to play at the professional level.
“Overall, it didn’t matter to me about being drafted or as a UDFA signing. The Padres were generous with their offer, which I thought was fair, and I knew I was ready. I just needed a chance, and San Diego was willing to give me that opportunity. I have heard nothing but great things about this organization, and that they like taking chances on guys in their farm system to improve, get better, and ride the wave in the minor leagues. And that’s exactly what I want.”
The Creighton Jays had two players sign this summer, with infielder Ben North landing a deal with the Kansas City Royals. For Pineau, he’s joining a Padres’ organization that has dived heavily into Canadian talent over the years.
The club selected Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) in the second round this year and boasts numerous other Canucks in the farm system: Lamar King (Vancouver, B.C.), Miguel Cienfuegos (Laval, Que.), Vicarte Domingo (Vancouver, B.C.), Garrett Hawkins (Saskatoon, Sask.), and Brandon Langley (Moose Jaw, Sask.). Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) and Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) were also originally drafted by the Padres.
Pineau credited Creighton for helping him improve during his post-secondary days, but didn’t forget his time north of the border in helping shape the player who he is today.
“Working with these different organizations – the Mets, Pro5, the Junior National Team – all of them set you up for success at whatever the next level. And they all instill the idea that while college ball is in the cards, you need to set your sights higher, and ingrained into every one of us that pro baseball is within our grasp. I am incredibly grateful for that.”
As for the next steps, things are still being set in motion for what the rest of the year looks like for Pineau. He pitched a career-high 83 innings this past season for Creighton.
If Pineau had any say in the matter, he’d take the baseball today. And tomorrow. And the day after that as well.
“It’s still early into the process following the draft,” explained Pineau. “I am down here in Arizona at the Padres facility, getting to know the coaches and just getting ready for whatever they throw my way. I built my throwing program this summer around the idea that I would get an opportunity to pitch again this season, so I am ready for any moment. For whatever the organization needs from me. I would love to finish the year pitching for an affiliated team and trying to help them win. Anything I can do to help win games and get on the mound, I always want the baseball in my hand.”