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.  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.

Hit: Quinn has only been switch hitting since late in his draft year.  He can make solid contact from both sides though his natural right handed swing has more contact than his left handed swing which has more power.  His speed lets the hit tool play up, but overall it should be close to average once he has enough reps.  35/50

Power: For such a small player, Quinn has sneaky power, especially from his left handed side.  Unlike most speedsters he should be able to keep pitchers honest.  If the hit tool plays up above project Quinn could potentially hit 15+ HRs in a peak year. 30/40

Speed: Before the injury Quinn was an easy 80 runner.  It remains to be seen how much speed will be there when he is healthy.  He is getting a better feel for his speed on the base paths and out of the box.  In the field he has huge first step quickness at short and potentially in center field. 80/?

Glove: Quinn was a center fielder in high school but the Phillies wanted to give him a chance at shortstop in pro-ball.  Quinn has many things you like in a shortstop prospect, first step quickness, a quick release, and decent hands.  The problem is that his actions and footwork are poor and he lacks feel for the position.  It is unlikely that Quinn sticks at short, but he could be a potential plus defender in center field, and the Phillies could see if a move to second base will help him stay in the infield. 45/50

Arm: Quinn’s arm shows plus strength and he has a quick release.  However his transfers can be sloppy and the accuracy can be off.  It is plenty of arm to play shortstop and could be a weapon at second base or center field. 55/60

Summary: The shortstop experiment seems close to its end for Quinn with J.P. Crawford now in the organization.  Ideally he fits the Phillies’ plans better if he can stay in the infield, but there is plenty of bat for center field.  Quinn ruptured his Achilles in November 2013, and likely needs to be at least a plus plus runner after his return to maintain some of his lofty ceiling.

Videos:

Quinn in the field and at the plate

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

Articles: