SS – Roman Quinn

Name: Roman Quinn
Position: SS
Bats: Switch
Throws: RH
DOB: 5/14/1993
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 170

Drafted: 2nd round (66 overall), $775,000 bonus

Pre Draft Report:  A Florida State signee out of Port St. Joe, FL.  His speed was rated the best of any player in the 2011 draft.  Quinn is a natural right handed hitter who began switch hitting in his senior year, and during the showcases he looked overmatched from the left side.  He has a decent amount of pop with ability to add more.  During the spring he rose quickly up draft boards and the Phillies took him in the second round with the 66th overall pick.

Scouts believed that he may not stick at SS and that his future may be at 2B or CF.  The Phillies though are intent on playing him at SS going forward.

Career Synopsis:

Quinn signed late and did not make his debut until the Fall Instructional League.  A natural right handed hitter he returned to switch hitting in instructional league.

Going into 2012 Quinn was around 10 in the system by various outlets (Baseball Prospectus #8, Baseball America #11, John Sickels #11).  The main concern going into the season was how Quinn would handle shortstop.  The Phillies held him back in Extended Spring Training before sending him to Williamsport for the entire season.  Over 267 ABs Quinn batted .281/.370/.408 with 30 SB.  He led the New York-Penn League in triples, runs, and stolen bases.  Baseball America rated him the #3 prospect in the NY-P, noting that he made a significant strides switch hitting and his defense at shortstop was improving where he has good range and arm strength.  He additionally was ranked the #2 prospect in the system by Baseball America after the 2012 season and #4 by Baseball Prospectus.

Scouting Report: Below is an assessment of Quinn’s raw tools, rated on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale. The grades are my estimation based on what I’ve read and those I’ve talked to. The second number is a future projection, the first number is the current assessment

Hit For Average: 50/60
Hit For Power: 30/50
Fielding: 40/60
Throwing Arm: 60
Speed: 80

Summary:  Quinn has a ton of upside.  His swing from his natural right side is much better than from his left.  He has gap power now, but he has a chance to continue to add to that as he matures.  His hit tool will play up with his elite speed, the speed itself can be enough to carry him to the big leagues if he can continue to hit.  He is a work in progress at shortstop, he has the arm and range to play the position but his actions and reads are not great and he had 27 errors at short in his first season.  If he cannot stick at SS he can be a plus defender in the outfielder.

Upside:  Roman Quinn’s upside is immense especially if he is able to stick at shortstop.  His K rate is a little high but he is still young and his walk rate is also good for his age.  The obvious comparison that has been made by many scouts is Jimmy Rollins, but Quinn likely has less power than that, his speed might be a touch higher than Rollins as well.  He is still a long way away and his full season debut in 2013 will tell a lot about his major league ETA.

Videos:

Quinn in the field and at the plate

Inside the park HR at NYPL All-Star game (15 seconds around the bases)

Articles:

Profile updated: 12/30/12